Early-morning runners brave the cold for 5K run
Decked out in matching pink and purple spandex with equally bright headbands secure in their hair, Darci Rodney and her best friend Ruby Jenkins, said they weren’t concerned about winning the race they had entered. They just wanted to run for fun, not to mention to show off their stylish apparel.
“We weren’t going to run the race until we saw the spandex,” said Rodney, a sophomore majoring in political science, as she stretched out for the run. “That’s what inspired it.”
The spandex girls, a brisk temperature, some friendly competition, and about 150 pairs of running shoes were all a part of the annual Utah State University Homecoming 5K Fun Run, held Saturday in downtown Logan.
Despite the cold morning temperature, runners of all ages showed up; the youngest crossing the finish line in a stroller.
“Nothing beats running 3.2 miles in the bitter cold,” said Sara Flinders, a junior majoring in nursing. “It’s so cold you can see your breath.”
Flinders said her goal was to run the race in under 26 minutes.
Demetrio Cabanillas, a graduate student studying environmental engineering, was the first to cross the finish line with a time of 15 minutes and 48 seconds.
Cabanillas said the flatness of the course made it an easy win.
“I never loosened up because it was so cold,” said Cabanillas, who has participated in many other 5K and 10K races. “I don’t run this much when it gets cold. I guess it’s just something you have to get used to living in Utah.”
The run, which was sponsored by the College Republicans and ASUSU, began at the corner of 100 South and Main Street. From there the runners and their trusty cross-trainers continued toward the finish line 3.2 miles away, running to Mount Logan Middle School, back to Adams Park and finally finishing at 500 North 100 East.
-jlkarras@cc.usu.edu
Runners line up to register for the 5k Fun Run Saturday morning. Temperatures were in the upper 30s during the run, which was sponsored by ASUSU and the College Republicans. (Photo by Aaron Hogan)
Tim Porter, a 2002 USU graduate, pays the $5 entry fee for Saturday’s 5K Fun Run. Porter came back to Logan for Homecoming. The race began at 100 South and Main Street, and ultimately ended at 500 North 100 East. (Photo by Aaron Hogan)