UCF to host one of largest fitness events on campus

Nearly 2,000 UCF students, faculty, alumni and community members are participating in this year's "U Can Finish" fitness event on campus on Sunday, Oct. 10. The race is sponsored by the Florida Hospital and hosted by the Track Shack to benefit the UCF athletic department, the Nicole P. Ganguzza Foundation and the Track Shack Foundation.

"U Can Finish" is the third of the seven-race Track Shack Grand Prix series that take place in Central Florida. The event will consist of a five-mile race at 7:30 a.m. and a two mile race at 8:45 a.m. Both races start and finish at the arena. There will also be a free children's run at 9:15 a.m. consisting of 100 meter, 400 meter and one mile races.

Track Shack decided to make some changes this year. They added a new student challenge to the itinerary. The challenge provides student organizations with a chance to win $250 towards funding for a charity of their choice. The organization that recruits the largest team wins.

Knight Runners, one of the newer registered student organizations is participating in the student challenge. Former president Brittany Davies said she expects great things from the Knight Runners group this year. 

"Our numbers have grown tremendously since becoming a RSO on campus at the end of the spring semester.  Our runners come at all levels of experience, and I am very excited to see how our group performs this Sunday," Davies said.

Another challenge called the "distance dare" is for those who want to gain more mileage at one event. It is an opportunity for participants to do both events for a total of seven miles. Those who finish will receive a medal that will be given out at one of the two award ceremonies.

"I wanted a challenge. I wanted to push myself a little further. I thought I'd give it a shot," Julie Frost, senior political science and pre-law major from Springfield, Va. said.

Frost plans to take about an hour to finish the race.

"I just want to run with my friends. It's not a competitive thing," she said. "It's cool to go out and run for a cause. You're contributing and exercising at the same time."

Frost also suggests eating whole-wheat pasta and getting a healthy amount of sleep the night before the race and to drink plenty of water.

Along with the distance dare competitors, the top three male and female UCF alumni and the top male and female UCF students will receive recognition at the 5-miler award ceremony. For the two mile race, the top 10 male and female overall winners will receive awards along with the top three 8 to 10 and 11 to 14-year-old competitors. Each participant that competes in the children's race will receive a ribbon and goodie bag. All participants will also receive a commemorative athletic shirt for donating money and supporting the organizations by running or walking in the races.

Natalie Casey, vice president of communications at the Track Shack is not concerned about who will finish first.

"Not everyone is super fast. It's really mostly about personal fitness, not just a race," she said.

The race is a way for students and other members of the community to do something for themselves as well as charitable organizations. The Track Shack hosts events like this locally and often.

"Everything we do benefits a cause," said Casey.

Registration has already begun. Register online through Thursday, Oct. 7, or mail in the printable application. Registration will also take place the morning of the race beginning at 6:30 a.m. The entry fee for students that register with their UCF e-mail address prior to the race is $12. Students paying the day of the race will be $15.

For more event information e-mail eventinfo@trackshack.com.