Students are preparing to dodge and duck their way through wacky courses during the 5K Hit and Run, taking place Saturday, Sept. 13 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Central Florida Fairgrounds.
“I’m expecting it to be a lot of fun with a lot of obstacles! I know there’s going to be a lot of water, as well as a lot of falling down,” said Shalini Solomon, a senior majoring in communication sciences sand disorders.
It costs $40 to register as a team or individually. A portion of the proceeds go to BASE Camp Children’s Cancer Foundation, a non-profit organization which serves children and their families who have faced cancer in their childhood.
The obstacle courses include walking over beams, which are above shallow pools, walking over posts in the pole walk, and dodging flying dodge balls. It takes about an hour to finish.
Although The Hit and Run 5k is only a year old, the event has been happening across the nation in major cities.
“We chose our locations based upon demand from social media. Orlando was very popular on that list,” said Brandon Spevak, a pr representative for Orlando Hit and Run 5k.
Spevak stated that around 3,500 people have registered for the race so far in Orlando.
On race day, the waves, or race times, begin at 9 a.m. with it being continuous every 30 minutes. Wave times are on a first come first serve basis.
Eric Thalin, a UCF fall 2013 alumna who majored in mechanical engineering, heard about the event through his company’s invitation.
“I haven’t done a 5k before, but I’ve done Tough Mudder twice in Tampa in November 2012 and then one about an hour north of Orlando,” Thalin said.
Thalin works for the engineering company Cubic, which creates training simulations for the military. He and a handful of other employees registered as a team.
Philip Mclean, a senior psychology major, is also going in a team.
“I’m going in a team. We are called the Southern Water Tribe. We haven’t gotten any uniforms put together yet but it will be based off of ‘The Last Airbender’ cartoon. So plenty face paint and unique costuming,” Mclean said.
“This will be my first 5k. I chose this one because I really dig obstacles and I’m not a fan of running in mud. This is the first I’ve seen that has cool obstacles without mud.”
Mclean used a Facebook discount to receive $5 off for registering.
Stacey Geisel, who’s a junior majoring in health services administration, is attending the event with her boyfriend.
“I’m excited for the obstacle where you jump from ball to ball- they are these huge blown up balls that will bounce you off right from the start,” Geisel said.
To register for the event visit the Orlando 5k Hit and Run official site.
