5K Fun Run
By
Aaron Kopitz

Great Lake State Weekend held its 11th annual 5-kilometer (3 mile) fun run/walk last weekend on Saturday, October 28, hosted by Lake State Alumni Association and held at the Norris Center. The route encompassed most of campus starting and ending at the Norris Center. Unlike previous years where the fun run was a no competition event, this year it was an official timed race. The course has been accurately measured and placed to give runners a tour through campus. 
Registration for the fun began at 9:15am and the race at 10:00am. The registration fee was ten dollars and for this runners were entered in the race, received a post run drink and a fun run long sleeve t-shirt.
When asked about expected attendance at the run, Susan Fitzpatrick, Director of Alumni Relations, said it is difficult to estimate numbers, since as I said this is the first year weve had a real 5k for GLSW. Hoping for a good turn out she also commented if we get fifty people well be very happy. Were not really sure what to expect. Start small, grow each year! 
Last year the non-competitive fun run had fifteen registered runners, last Saturday the event hosted about twenty runners of various ages. The longest time on the run was a little over thirty-four minutes.  Participants were happy to be there and even though the weather was not inviting the attitude at a run well done was very encouraging. 
This event was a healthy activity that all could participate in, whether you are running for health, to win a bet or to see the campus in a different light. The fun run is one of many events Great Lake State Weekend held for visiting family and friends. In the future, the Cross Country and Track team will be holding their first Turkey Trot November 18 at 9am. So if you ran the fun run they hope to see you again in a few weeks running to make room for some turkey.
