The last weekend in September brings a special event to Chanute, Kansas every year and that is Artist Alley. This year marked the 43^rd time the event which brings Arts & Crafts vendors from all over the area to downtown Chanute to line the streets. With live entertainment and food vendors up and down Main Street, it is an event for the whole family.
 
Neosho County Community College athletics have always been involved with Artist Alley, but this year they became an even larger part as the event kicked off with the Panther Pursuit 5K. The first annual Panther Pursuit featured 147 runners from 11-63 years old meeting on the NCCC Campus for the run.
 
Devin Eccles of Chanute, Kansas was the overall winner in the men's open division with a time of 18:09:5. It was Robin Childers, also of Chanute, who took home the women's open title with her time of 22:19:2

Age Group Results
Open Division Results
NC Athlete Results

Photos of the event including all of the finishers can be found on the Neosho County Community College flickr account.  

 
“Artist Alley is a big event for the city and I'm glad we, as an athletic department, can play a part in that. I think the 5K was a great addition to an already great schedule of events and I look forward to it growing and becoming a staple of Artist Alley weekend,” said Neosho County Athletic Director Amber Burdge.
 
The annual Homecoming Parade was the next event and featured a number of Panther athletes. The Neosho County men's and women's basketball teams as well as the cheer and dance teams all took part in the festivities as they passed out Neosho County Community College items.  
“I want our players to feel like they are a part of the community and have a sense of pride in representing both the city of Chanute and all of Neosho County. Taking part in something like Artist Alley is a great way to help foster that relationship,” said head men's basketball coach Jeremy Coombs.
 
Clean-up for an event like this can be a major under taking, but several of the Neosho County teams chipped in to help out with the effort. The Panther wrestling and track and cross country teams were on hand all day to make sure that the area stayed clean as they picked up and emptied trash throughout the event.
 
“It was a long day for our track team as they were up early to help set up for the 5k and then picking up trash, but I'm proud of the effort they put in,” said head track and field coach Vincent Bingham. “I'm really happy we were able to take part in this event.”
 
Even though Artist Alley is over in Chanute, the Panthers are not done being involved around town. The athletic department has chipped in to help out with “Nightmare on Main Street”. The event features a wide variety of scary mazes and houses that guests can explore including one designed and decorated by the Panther athletic department. Every Friday and Saturday in October at 602 East Main Street in Chanute the haunted house will be open.
 
“It's been a busy month around here,” said Amber Burdge, “with our fall sports in season, a 5k to prepare for, and the haunted house to decorate. I'm very proud of the way all the sports have chipped in to help out and make all of these events run smoothly.”
 
With all of the events in the community, Chanute residents have had lots of opportunities to see the Neosho County athletes around town. With the fall sports season in full swing and winter sports starting practice we hope to see all of those residents in the stands to support the Panthers this season.