A day of races and household enjoyable in Carthage attracts crowds downtown

A day of races and household enjoyable in Carthage attracts crowds downtown

Published 1:30 pm Monday, November 17, 2025

Sunshine, vitality, and loads of group spirit stuffed downtown Carthage because the 2025 Panola Push, Pedal & Run introduced cyclists, runners, and households collectively for a full day of health and enjoyable.

The annual occasion kicked off early Saturday, November 8, with the 100K, 30-mile, and newbie biking routes, adopted by the 5K and one-mile stroll via downtown. Participants got here from throughout East Texas, and past, to participate on this yr’s races and actions.

Peterson Auto Group sponsored the occasion’s awards, recognizing prime finishers in every division. In the 100K race, Chris Tutt claimed first place total, ending in 2:55:32, adopted intently by Karley Merrill of Longview — the highest feminine finisher — and Larry Camp of Henderson, who positioned third total.

Racers from as far-off as New Mexico, Louisiana, and Houston joined native athletes on the course, including to what organizer Randy Wells known as “a perfect mix of community and competition.”

“We had such a great turnout, not just from Carthage but from all over,” Wells stated. “It’s amazing to see how this event keeps growing each year.”

Alongside the races, households joined within the Texas A&M Agri Life Extension sponsored Play Streets pop-up on Sabine Street, the place children loved hula hoops, bubbles, chalk artwork, and video games all through the morning. Later within the day, attendees packed the downtown sq. for Oktoberfest festivities, together with the favored wiener canine races, brunch at Grind & Grain, and a night efficiency on the Country Music Hayride Tribute Show.

With dozens of households and people in attendance, Wells stated the occasion was “proof that when Panola County comes together, we make something special happen.”