University of Indianapolis students, faculty and staff, along with members of the community, laced up their running shoes to participate in the third annual Hound Hustle 5K Run/Walk to kick off homecoming activities on the morning of Oct. 8.
Professor and Chair of Chemistry Kathy Stickney has been in charge of the event for all three years that it has taken place and said she was enthusiastic about this year.
“We put a lot of time into figuring out the course,” Stickney said. “It goes past all of our new [and] renovated buildings, so it highlights the campus really well.”
According to Stickney, Associate Professor of Chemistry David Styers-Barnett mapped out the course and was very involved in other aspects of the run.
The course began at the football stadium and wrapped around the field and back onto Hanna Avenue. Then it continued down Otterbein Avenue, past the newly renovated Martin Hall which also was on display later that day, along with Lilly Hall. After crossing over to Bowman Avenue, the course wrapped back up around Key Stadium one more time before passing the renovated Lilly Hall for the last look at the new renovations.
Sophomore computer science major Lucas Spray said this was his second year running the 5K with his family. He hopes to continue the tradition for the next two years and keep improving each time.
“I would say the best part of the 5K was being able to see the finish line and finishing,” Spray said. “Also, knowing that I won the bet with my dad that I beat him in the race … I would say the
Hound Hustle this year had a lot more people, so that way there are more people to push you and hopefully make you get a better time.”
Participants in the 5K run paid a $20 registration fee, which included a T-shirt and a $5 donation to the academic department of their choice.
New this year was that cash prizes were awarded to the top runners. Stickney also expressed excitement about the prizes and giveaways for the top individuals, as well as the door prizes for random lucky runners.
A $25 cash prize was given to each of the first place male and female runners and gift cards were awarded to the runner-ups and third place runners. Prizes also were given to the top runners in each age division. Door prizes included gift cards, goodie bags and other small prizes.
After the 5K, the Ace Chase event began for young participants. Runners age 10 had an opportunity to run a small course with the UIndy mascot, Ace.
“Ace is there, and he will run a lap around the Smith Mall,” Stickney said. “We have the kids split up into two sets, a younger set and an older set, and it is their job to run down Ace. But a lot of times, Ace has to stop and tie his shoes, so the kids usually end up beating him.”
This activity included a meet-and-greet with Ace and a short run around Smith Mall. Prizes also were given to each of the young runners.
Stickney said she plans to continue the event in the coming years.
