As if this weather hasn't been enough to get even the laziest of Austinites out and running, Paul Carrozza and his team over at RunTex are creating even more reasons to get out and about in 2008. Over the course of this month, the Lake Austin Boulevard RunTex will be stripped of its retail shelves—in its place will be a running institution aimed at consulting, training, and creating various fitness programs and seminars for local athletes....

Think that hunky muscle queen two doors down is the embodiment of good health? Austin Fit magazine wants to know. From now through July 1st, you can submit your nominations for their second annual "Fittest Person in Austin" survey. The winner will be featured in the August issue of Austin Fit. Additionally, a handful of voters will score some excellent prizes, like the much-coveted year's worth of Laser Hair Removal services from Depilite. Nominees......

Last night, Austin's theatre denizens gathered at Zach Scott Theater for the annual B. Iden Payne Awards ceremony. A function of Austin Circle of Theaters, every fall the BIPpies recognize outstanding work on Austin's stages. This year's ballot was chock full of amazing talent—undoubtedly the voting public had some difficult choices to make. With a fabulous ceremony helmed by Andrea Skola and the women of Shrewd Productions, and featuring commentary from the always-funny Buzz......

And they're off.... The nominations for this year's B. Iden Payne Awards have been announced. We received 'em this morning, straight from the offices of the Austin Circle of Theatres. If you want to get in on the action, ballots will be available starting this Thursday, September 21, at ACoT (701 Tillery Street) & AusTIX (kiosk at the Austin Visitors Center, 209 E. 6th Street). You must be an ACoT member to vote, but......

On October 20, 1993, Gilbert Tuhabonye was on the verge of a bright future. A student leader and a top-ranked high school runner in his home country of Burundi, Tuhabonye looked forward to coming to the United States to attend university on a running scholarship, and it seemed that the only thing standing in the way of his dream was a particularly tough chemistry teacher. Twenty-four hours later, his world was turned upside down and those dreams seemed to have gone up in the flames that killed his classmates and scarred his own skin. ...

President Bush recently added three high-profile Austinites to the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, according to the Austin Business Journal: Paul Carrozza, founder of Run-Tex Susan Dell, uber-philanthropist and ironman (ironwoman?) athlete Andy Roddick, Austin Java-loitering tennis champ The members of the council will serve a two-year term, during which they're expected to advise the president on all matters concerning "physical fitness, physical activity and sports activities." Quoth Mrs. Dell, in a press......