Wrinkle-Ford Creative Arts

Dr. William and Dr. Jeremy Fermo--3 Bros Running Company

"Running on empty (running on)/

Running blind (running on)/

Running into the sun/

But I'm running behind."

--Lyrics to "Running on Empty" by Jackson Browne

Dr. William Fermo and his brother Dr. Jeremy Fermo are "all in" on delivering incredible running experiences to runners and communities in Southeast Texas.

Since launching their "3 Bros Running Company" in 2022, the brothers have quickly become one of the most recognized and sought-after race organizers in the region.

In this episode of Down Trails of Victory podcast, Buck and Wanda Carole visit with the two Nederland High School graduates, and talk with them about numerous topics, including:

Why they went "all in" on a business devoted to races;
Key elements to their company's success;
Their extraordinarily successful 5K events in Port Neches and Orange;
"Destination races," and why they are important to the hosting community;
Their prolific use of social media;
Why running is good for everyone;
Their plans for 2025--and beyond;
and much, much, more!

The podcast brings up quite a few names from Southeast Texas and the running community, including John Walk, Allen Wrinkle, Glenn Johnson, Phil Brannan, Lauren Leigh, Meb Keflezighi, Desiree Linden, ...and more!

Runners may always run behind the sun, but their dreams forever draw them forward in their pursuit of it...

Listen to these two runners' dreams...

Right here, on Down Trails of Victory podcast!

Port Neches Labor Day Run

Port neches labor day 5k

3 Bros Running has orchestrated the Port Neches Labor Day 5K for the past two years. The 2024 event was a sell-out. Hear Drs. William and Jeremy Fermo talk about the origins and success of that race on Down Trails of Victory podcast!

custom bib

Custom Bib for the 2024 Port Neches Labor Day 5K. Hear the 3 Bros talk about the importance of custom race swag on Down Trails of Victory podcast!

race day schedule

Hear the 3 Bros talk about the work behind creating the Port Neches Labor Day 5k on Down Trails of Victory podcast!

runners on your marks!

The Port Neches Labor Day 5K had its start and finish at Port Neches park. Hear about the logistics behind this extremely popular running event on Down Trails of Victory podcast!

custom finishers medal

Hear the 3 Bros discuss their philosophy behind custom finishers awards on Down Trails of Victory podcast!

meeting the mayor--glenn johnson

The 3 Bros have some of the best social media in the running business. Hear Drs. William and Jeremy Fermo discuss how their social media presence is a Win-Win for their business, and for the host community, on Down Trails of Victory podcast!

visiting hebert library

The 3 Bros visited the Hebert Library during their preparations for the Labor Day 5K, and they documented their visit with a youtube video. Hear the 3 Bros discuss their commitment to promoting businesses and entities on Down Trails of Victory podcast!

$1000 for Adaptive sports for kids (ask) charity

3 Bros Running gave $1000 to the charity Adaptive Sports for Kids (ASK), from proceeds generated from the Port Neches Labor Day 5K. Hear the 3 Bros discuss investments in their host communities on Down Trails of Victory podcast!

Orange Big Pumpkin Run

orangetober Festival 2024

The Big Pumpkin 5K Run and Kids 1K Run has been a part of Orangetober Fest activities for the past three years. Hear the 3 Bros talk about their relationship with Orange and the Orangetober Festival on Down Trails of Victory podcast!

big pumpkin run course

The Big Pumpkin Run course is designed to take in historical, cultural, and scenic sites of Orange. Hear Drs. William and Jeremy Fermo talk about the Big Pumpkin 5K and 1K Kids Run on Down Trails of Victory podcast!

big pumpkin swag shirt

All runners signed up for the Big Pumpkin Run get a custom shirt as a memento of the event. Hear the 3 Bros talk about supporting and encouraging runners on Down Trails of Victory podcast!

big pumpkin custom medal

All finishers of the Big Pumpkin 5K and the Kids 1K receive a finishers medal for their accomplishment. Hear the 3 Bros talk about recognizing and rewarding runners' achievements on Down Trails of Victory podcast!

big pumpkin family fotos

Hear the 3 Bros talk about the Big Pumpkin Run in Orange, and how they promoted the event as a "destination race" that drew over 485 runners in 2024, right here on Down Trails of Victory podcast! (pictured L to R) Allen Wrinkle holding Hagan Freeman, Skylar Freeman, Brayden Reeves)

orangetober fest photo ops

There are plenty of photo opportunities for families following the running events at the Orangetober Festival. Hear the 3 Bros talk about their role in Orange's special celebration on Down Trails of Victory podcast!

The Running Event--Continuing Education

3 bros at the running event

The Running Event is the largest running retail expo in the USA, held annually in Austin, Texas. It features speakers and vendors from all over the world, with presentations and displays focused on the cutting edge of running. Hear Drs. William and Jeremy Fermo talk about their experiences at The Running Event, on Down Trails of Victory podcast!

3 bros present at the running event

This is a picture of Dr. William Fermo speaking about the importance of social media during a presentation at The Running Event in Austin, Texas. Hear the 3 Bros tell about their experiences at the event, on Down Trails of Victory podcast!

3 bros meet marathon royalty--desiree linden

Drs. William and Jeremy Fermo met one of the Queens of Marathon Running, Desiree Linden, at The Running Event in Austin, Texas. Desiree is a two-time Olympian, and in 2018 won the Boston Marathon, the first US woman to win the women's division. in 33 years. Hear the 3 Bros talk about meeting Desiree Linden on Down sTrails of Victory podcast!

3 bros meet marathon royalty--meb keflezighi

Drs. William and Jeremy Fermo met one of the Kings of USA Marathon running, Meb Keflezighi, at The Running Event in Austin, Texas. Meb is a three-time Olympian, and a winner of both the Boston Marathon and the New York City Marathon. Hear the 3 Bros talk about meeting Meb Keflezighi on Down Trails of Victory podcast!

3 Bros Running

3 bros promotional pic

Hear the 3 Bros talk about the skyrocketing success of their running company on Down Trails of Victory podcast!

3 bros banner

What makes this banner special? Hear Dr. William Fermo talk about this banner, and the names that appear on it, on Down Trails of Victory podcast!

3 bros promotional booth

Here is Dr. William Fermo at the 3 Bros vendor booth in Laporte, promoting the Laporte Half Marathon. The 3 Bros will be taking over this popular event in 2025. Hear about the 3 Bros' plans for 2025 on Down Trails of Victory podcast!

2025

seabrook lucky trail races

3 Bros Running Company will administer the Seabrook Luck Trail Races for the first time in 2005. Hear about the 3 Bros' plans for 2025 on Down Trails of Victory podcast!

port neches labor day 5k

seabrook lucky trail races

3 Bros Running Company will return to Port Neches in 2025 for its 3rd year hosting the Port Neches Labor Day Run. Hear the 3 Bros talk about their 2025 plans on Down Trails of Victory podcast!

kemah toughest 10k

seabrook lucky trail races

orange big pumpkin run

For the first time in 2025, 3 Bros running company will administer the Texas Bridge Series, which includes 10K runs in Kemah and Galveston, and a half marathon in Laporte. Hear the 3 Bros talk about their plans for 2025 on Down Trails of Victory podcast!

orange big pumpkin run

3 Bros Running Company administered their first race in 2022 with Shannon's Run in Orange, Texas. The following year they started the Big Pumpkin Run in Orange, which is part of Orange's Octoberfest Celebration. Drs. William and Jeremy Fermo talk about their 2025 plans on Down Trails of Victory podcast!

galveston toughest 10k

orange big pumpkin run

galveston toughest 10k

3 Bros Running Company will administer the Kemah 10K for the first time in 2025. Hear the 3 Bros talk about their 2025 plans on Down Trails of Victory podcast!

laporte half marathon

orange big pumpkin run

galveston toughest 10k

The 3 Bros will, for the first time, administer the popular Laporte Half Marathon in 2025, Hear about the 3 Bros' plans for 2025 on Down Trails of Victory podcast!

seabrook promotional--medals

The 3 Bros believe in delivering custom medals for their running entrants. Hear the 3 Bros talk with Buck and Wanda Carole about their philosophy regarding custom swag on Down Trails of Victory podcast!

Video

3 bros visit hebert library in port neches

In the lead-up to the 2024 Labor Day 5K, the 3 Bros visited the Hebert Library in Port Neches, and discovered things about the library that many Port Neches natives may not know about. Check out their video!

3 bros visit port neches

In the lead-up to the 2023 Labor Day 5K, the 3 Bros visited Port Neches and checked out some of the sites. They also interviewed mayor Glenn Johnson. Check out the video, and discover whey their social media draws accolades!

visit with Orange mayor larry spears, jr.

Orange was the first city to contract with the 3 Bros to host a race. Check out their short interview with Larry Spears, Jr--the mayor of Orange!

Purchase Down Trails of Victory

Down Trails of Victory, published in 1994, is a classic whose prose will forever be fresh. Currently in its second printing, its first printing sold out in six weeks!

Included in Down Trails of Victory are:

Extensive commentaries by coaches and players, many of whom have now passed on, but whose voice forever lives within the book
Complete narrative history of every season, 1925 - '93
Chapter covering the origins of several Indian traditions, including the Indian Spirit, Indianettes, the Fight Song, Cherokee, and the Marching I
Over 500 pages (including Acknowledgements and Foreword)
Over 325 photos
Over 65 manuscripts and documents
Comprehensive player, coaches, and cheerleader rosters
Much, much more...

The games, the rivalries, the great victories, the heartbreaking defeats, the heroes, the opponents--they're all here. Discover how it was from the players and coaches themselves. Open the book, and take a fascinating journey with them--Down Trails of Victory!

The Podcast Team

Dr. Jon Buck Ford--Host

Buck is a 1973 graduate of Port Neches-Groves High School. He has written two books pertaining to SE Texas history: On the Wings of Eagles: The Story of Stephen F. Austin Football 1979 - 1988, and Down Trails of Victory: The Story of Port Neches-Groves High School Football. Buck retired after 40 years in Texas Public Schools, as an English teacher, coach, assistant principal, principal, and superintendent. He enjoys spending time with his wife Wanda Carole (Wrinkle), playing the piano, traveling, and researching genealogy.

Judge Brad Burnett--Podcast Partner

Judge Brad Burnett is a 1973 graduate of Port Neches-Groves High School, His career includes previous positions as a real estate broker, and as a plant manager at US Intec. Judge Burnett has devoted his life to serving Southeast Texas. He served three terms on the PN-G ISD school board, before his election as Justice of the Peace of Jefferson County Pct. 7, a position he has held since 2002. Judge Burnett is active in many community organizations, and is in constant demand as a speaker for civic, school, and church groups. He is married to his high school sweetheart, Teresa (Lee), and has three "awesome" grandkids. From the book Down Trails of Victory, "(Brad) was a constant encourager throughout the years as I worked on the book. He believed in me and my dream, and his support gave me confidence in myself. He attended many of the panel interviews with former players, and we had a continual dialogue over the years about the status of the book. ...Thank you, Brad," page ix. --Dr. Jon Buck Ford

Wanda Carole Wrinkle Ford Producer

Wanda Carole Wrinkle Ford was born in Mamou, Louisiana, and lived in Southeast Texas for 40 years. She graduated from Lamar University in Beaumont as a Registered Nurse in 1990. She is multi-talented with a diverse background and range of experiences. In addition to being a song writer and award-winning photographer, she also served as publisher and editor of the best selling book Down Trails of Victory, without whose help the book never would have been written. Wanda Carole specializes in wildlife photography, enjoys traveling, gardening, helping her friends and family, genealogy, playing the piano, and undertaking new challenges.