Camp Buckner’s Inaugural Hill Country Triple Trail Run a Runaway Success

No pun intended, but it’s safe to say that all who participated in Camp Buckner’s first annual Hill Country Triple Trail Run over Labor Day weekend agree the event was a runaway success.

Between Sept. 5-7, Camp Buckner collaborated with PJ Izaguirre, owner of Texas-based Perspective Pacing Events, an organization that hosts trail runs and endurance challenges, to create its inaugural race.

Over the course of the weekend, 65 runners walked or ran a 5K, 10K, half marathon, full marathon or 50K race on trails built specifically for this three-day event. Camp Buckner is particularly grateful to the men’s ministry of First Baptist Church in Burnet, Texas, for volunteering its time to help create some of those trails.

Labor Day weekend in the Texas Hill Country is rarely known for mild temperatures, and this year was no exception. However, the beauty of the scenery and the stunning views made even the most challenging parts of the course well worth the effort. One section of the trail has even earned the nickname “Jacob’s Ladder” because of its steep climb.

On the Perspective Pacing website, PJ describes the ethos of the running community this way: “Everyone is so willing to help the next person because everyone understands that it is a struggle and no one is out here alone.”

Since 1879, Buckner International has worked to stand in the gap and reduce struggle and isolation for the people it serves, making the connection between a community-focused race and Buckner’s mission especially meaningful.

In Rom. 5:3-4, Scripture reminds us that “we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.”

At every Buckner location, “Hope Shines Here” is more than a slogan. Hope is woven into the ministry’s mission and serves as a reminder of the purpose behind its work.

As a runner participating in the Hill Country Triple Trail Run, this author can personally attest to the suffering and endurance required to complete the race. Yet knowing the proceeds would support Buckner ministries and provide tangible hope for children, families and seniors made every step worthwhile. It helped her “run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Heb. 12:1).

Camp Buckner looks forward to hosting its second Hill Country Triple Trail Run next year and encourages runners of all experience levels to consider joining the adventure. Stay tuned for race dates and registration information.