Another 5k Thru Town

Independence Day morning will bring another set of runners thru Ruston streets. Along with road closures and hopefully our annual kids parade (10am in front of Don's Ruston Market), Tacoma City Running Clubs is sponsoring it's first 5K that starts at Vassault Park and ends at Point Ruston (map here). We are popular this year! Maybe a running store should set up shop in one of our vacant storefronts...

Great Day For A Run

Yesterday proved to be a spectacular day for a run in Ruston. The Tacoma City Marathon snaked its way across the Narrows Bridge, through Five Mile Drive at Point Defiance and up and down two Ruston streets before exiting down Ruston Way for the final stretch downtown. The route came past my front yard during watering time this morning. After a few requests for a hit from the hose, we set up a shower for runners to run through if they wanted. Most seemed to enjoy the brief cooling as they headed on their way. Yep, a great day for a run in Ruston...

2013 Ruston Way 5k

One of our newest Ruston traditions occurred over the weekend - the Ruston Way 5k. Even though only a small portion of the route is in town, the name includes Ruston so we get to claim it. The event this year added a 10k run for stronger runners, and a 1k for the youngest. Despite the cold, it was a great chance to peek inside the new Copperline building and walk a newly opened stretch of the Waterwalk - and run your heart out. A great new Ruston tradition...

New apartment building welcomes racers

Full Copperline lobby before the race

Fleet Feet sponsor mascot

He's everywhere

Elite runners start the race (including the infamous 'shirtless' Ft. Lewis runners

The full crowd followed

First male runner

First female runner

One of the younger 5k racers

Youngest runners ready, set...

GO!!!

Lots of colorful runners

Fastest 5k-10k Around

The Ruston Way 5k - 10k is billed as the fastest race in the Puget Sound. Featuring a flat course, runners can produce some of their fastest times. The second annual event will be held this Saturday at Point Ruston. Runners will be the first to preview the last stretch of unopened Waterwalk and get up close to the almost-complete Copperline Apartment building.

Registration is still open. The race features the 10k route for runners only, a 5k walk/run and a 1k kids run. The race starts at 9am, with the kids run at 10:15am. Gathering starts at 7am at the Grand Plaza, near the playground at the end of the current open section of the Waterwalk. It's an awesome sight to watch the elite runners race, so plan on spending the morning down the hill if you can.

Ruston Monarch's Take Championship

The adult baseball team named after our town won the championship game today for their league. This isn't the first time the team has taken top honors, but its great to have the tradition continue.

Way to go, Ruston Monarchs! You can read more here...

Ruston Monarchs Play in Championship

The Ruston Monarch baseball team is on its way to another championship. The big game is Saturday at Heritage Rec in Puyallup at 11am and 2 pm with a Sunday game if necessary. We first noted the team early in the season (read more here). Go get 'em, guys! Do your town proud!

On a side note, one of the players (Daryl Jay Frank) is an artist. You can see more at bigpalouka.blogspot.com.

Ruston Monarchs

Here's the latest on "our" baseball team weekend games from GM Daryl Frank:

The Monarchs defeated the Puyallup River Cats on Thursday 13-8 but lost to The Eatonville Rainiers on Sunday 9-6. on the bright side, Gabe Gapol pitched a great complete game on thursday and Ronnie Gee hit in the clutch with a double and 4 rbi's. On Sunday, Dave Bingham hit another home-run.

Ruston's Baseball Team

Did you know we have a baseball team named after us? The Ruston Monarchs are a local team from the Pierce County Baseball League. Ruston's own Dan Wombacher is on the team and the general manager Daryl Frank lives just outside our borders. The team's schedule is now linked (to the right). Stop in for some all-American fun! Daryl gives us some background:

The Monarchs were founded in 2000 by current GM/pitcher/outfielder/1st baseman Daryl Frank, who currently lives just outside the Ruston limits at 51st & Whitman. The Pierce County Baseball League currently has teams from Tacoma, Puyallup, Eatonville, University Place and Gig Harbor along with the Ruston Team.

The Monarchs worked with has contributed to both the Bellarmine Prep and Pacific Lutheran University baseball programs with construction costs and labor ( Dan Wombacher's specialty) in building batting cages, dugouts, clubhouses, concession stands, and equipment storage buildings. Former PLU coach, Larry Marshall, was integral in allowing the Monarchs to use their facilities for many years as the teams home field.

Local notables who have played for the Monarchs include former UW quarterback Billie Joe Hobert. Former White Sox AAA Prospect David Bingham currently is on the roster and has the league record for most homers in a season. Other players on the roster with Professional experience include Ron Gee and Daryl Frank.