UCF to host annual U Can Finish race

Stretch your calves and lace up your running shoes because Florida Hospital's U Can Finish 5 Miler and 2 Mile is approaching.

Beginning at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 23, runners and walkers will flood the UCF Arena for the 5 Miler. Following that, the 2 Mile will start at 8:45 a.m. and the Healthy 100 Kids' Run begins shortly after.

The 5 Miler begins outside of the arena and heads down Gemini Boulevard toward Greek Park Drive. The route travels all around campus and ends next to the arena on East Plaza Drive. The 2 Mile route takes runners down Memory Mall and ends in the same location. Each route has a designated water stop.

Florida Hospital will be offering a sports medicine pavilion where participants can pay a dollar per minute for a pre- or post-race massage from licensed massage therapists.

By pre-registering for the event, runners can take advantage of a race discount. Online registration runs through Thursday, Oct, 20. For UCF students, registration is only $15 with a valid Knights email and PID. Other participants can register for the 5 Miler in advance for $28 and the 2 Mile for $25, payable by cash, check or credit. Prices climb on race day, with the 5 Miler being $35 and the 2 Mile being $30, payable by cash or check only.

Alumni, faculty and staff have the opportunity to save $2 by entering the code "alum11" on the online registration form. Kids can be registered for the Kids' Run for free on the day of the event. For those driving on campus, parking Garage D will be open for free.

Organizations all over campus are racing to sign up, hoping to win the UCF Student Challenge. Whoever has the largest run/walk team (15 minimum) wins $250 toward their organization.

Army ROTC's battalion commander Gabriel Pope expressed his enthusiasm toward this challenge. He said part of the Army ROTC training is running 3.5 miles a week.

"It's something that we live and breathe. It's not a career; it's a lifestyle," Pope said. "We want to win the $250."

In attempt to get the most participation, ROTC organizers are encouraging their battalion with incentives like no physical training for one morning. Other organizations are using this event as a way to round up their members and get active together.

"We found this to be a really great cause and a great way to get members involved and unite," said senior psychology major Alexandra Minnick, a member of the Golden Key International Honour Society.

Kappa Kappa Gamma, Delta Zeta, Knight Runners, Student Health Information Management Association, Sigma Chi, Army ROTC and Golden Key are among organizations already registered to compete.

"It's really convenient because it's right on campus and it's also cheap, which is appealing to college students," said senior interdisciplinary studies major Sean Skow, president of Knight Runners.

Awards will be given to top runners following each race. For the 5 Miler, top male and female alumni and top male and female students will be awarded. For the 2 Mile, the top 10 male and female winners will be awarded, along with other various awards distributed under different categories.

Race results will be available on Track Shack's website the same day. Proceeds from this event will benefit the Track Shack Foundation, a local organization promoting health and fitness, as well as UCF's Student Alumni Association, the 4Ever Knights Scholarship Program.

Interested runners can register online at www.trackshack.com by Thursday, Oct. 20.