A runner leans in for a third place finish.
A man stretches before Saturday’s 4K. More than 50 runners trotted two loops around University Boulevard, starting and finishing in front of Rice Library. Some were seeking for a first place finish, others were simply pacing in the sun, but all competitors were able to attain one common goal: they raised money for charity in the process. “It’s kind of motivating because when you run by yourself … I definitely wouldn’t have ran 2.5 miles,” said Amanda Verkamp, junior and USI Habitat for Humanity member. “I haven’t ran more than probably a mile and a half in months, but since everybody else is running, it motivates you to run, too.” But this run was different. USI Habitat for Humanity used the 4K as one of the kickoff events to raise money for its first-ever, future build. “We like doing stuff, instead of just getting people to pay us, we’d rather work (for donations),” Verkamp said. “It wasn’t a whole lot, but it was enough,” Verkamp said.
At the beginning of the day, only 21 people were signed up to participate in the race, but after before the race began, there were more than 50 contestants. Community members paid $15 and USI students ran for free.