Mother runners

For the last 10 years, a group of Memorial moms known as the Mother Runners has stuck together as running buddies and friends. When the pandemic shut down the 2021 Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Half Marathon, Christy Engvall, Amy Hubbard, Anita Ramke, Melanie Beck, Deepa Mireles, Heather Springer, and Heather Halaska (pictured, from left) decided to create a virtual race of their own. They mapped out a route through Memorial, and were cheered on along the way by retired group members Kristin Martin and Kristi Robishaw, as well as plenty of children, husbands, and friends. The members of the group have changed over years, as births, injuries, and moves have taken precedence over neighborhood running, but the group’s motto is: “Once a mother runner, always a mother runner.” They are a social bunch, and the only requirement for membership is the love of chatting while running. In addition to the annual Houston half marathon, the women have also traveled together for races in San Antonio, Huntington Beach, Calif., and even to Paris for a full marathon. 

Editor’s note: The Buzz congratulates our regular Buzz About Town writer, associate editor Jordan Steinfeld, and her husband Matthew on the recent arrival of baby Sloane. Jordan is taking a short break to spend time with Sloane. In the meantime, Buzz writer Angie Frederickson is handling this column. As usual, please send your high-res photos and community news to [email protected]. Items are published on a space-available basis.