On Sunday, December 4, the City of La Porte sponsored the 2nd Annual La Porte by the Bay Half Marathon. The event started at Sylvan Beach, traveled through beautiful Main Street and the Five Points Town Plaza to get on 146 and cross the Fred Hartman Bridge into Baytown, which was the highlight of the 13 mile race. Runners then turned around and ended at Five Points Town Plaza for medals and a party.

The event had 1,022 registered participants with 891 participants that started and finished the race. There were 16 states represented, and 2 countries - Texas, Tennessee, Minnesota, California, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Alabama, Massachusetts, Louisiana, Missouri, Indiana, Wisconsin, New York, Ohio, Nebraska, and New Jersey, with Canada and the Netherlands also represented by runners.

Kevin Walsh, from New Jersey, finished 1st with a time of 1:19.58. Following were Cheto Cerda finishing 2nd place a with a time 1:20.36; Thomas King, Jr. finished 3rd place with a time of 1:22.55 and 4th place went to Nassar Dabbas with a time of 1:23.53.

In the women’s overall division, Jessica Scheider won 1st place with the time of 1:31.05, while 2nd place went to Alexandra Paddon-Jones with a time of 1:34.14. Lauren Wilder took 3rd place with a time of 1:35.50.

In the 19 and under male division, Connor Hanson, a Cypress Woods High School cross country runner reached the finish line in 1:31.12 beating out Henry Blanchard, a La Porte High School freshman cross country runner, by just seconds.

Proceeds from the race benefits the Bridge over Troubled Water, a comprehensive crisis center, who assist survivors of domestic and/or sexual violence and those who are homeless due to these circumstances.

Race producer Robby Saban predicts that this event will continue to grow as more and more people learn about the fantastic venue and its premier feature, two trips across the Fred Hartman Bridge, making this event, the highest off-the-ground half marathon in Texas. The bridge spans the Houston Ship Channel with a length of 2.6 miles and approximately 262 feet above the water surface. It connects the cities of Baytown and La Porte. Many runners are using the race to train as a precursor to the Houston Marathon, which will take place on January 14, 2012.