Run or Walk for UCBA Scholarships

UC Blue Ash is hosting its third annual 5K run on Saturday, October 10.  The event is a great chance for anyone to come out and support the scholarship fund for deserving students. Also the event will be timed so all participants have the opportunity to beat their 5K best. “It’s sure to be a lot of fun. Some teams come out in costume,” says UCBA professor Sonja Andrus, who has participated in the event each year. 

The UCBA community is sponsoring the run and it is looking for 800 participants to register by the October 10 deadline, compared to the 630 of the second annual run. Last year the 5K raised $40,000 in scholarships. This year they are looking to increase that number with the landmark 800 participants. 

Andrus has some advice for those who plan to run. “If you¹re not someone who walks or runs regularly, you should start training now to be prepared for the day¹s race,” she says. “You should research how to train to run a 5K in hilly terrain, and you might want to look up how to train from your current level of fitness. If you are a casual runner, what you will need to do is different than someone who is just taking up running, for instance.” But Andrus notes that the even is not just for runners. For many, a big reason to participate is to be involved in the UCBA community and support student scholarships. Andrus herself does not run the race. “I always walk in the race, so I don¹t train a whole lot. Since the pathway that we walk is rather uphill, however, it¹s a good idea to be in good shape, and to stretch well prior to the race.” Andrus became involved in the dash the first year it was held. “I started rallying my department to sign up in the first year of the race because there¹s a prize for the largest team, and the college dean really encourages all the departments to sign up and have 100% participation.” 

The run starts at 8:30 a.m. The event is open to everyone, humans and animals alike. You can even bring the family dog. Participation in the dash will directly help a student afford the high cost of the college life, with all the proceeds going towards the scholarship fund.

Food and snacks will also be provided for a day of fun and fitness. The dash includes a DJ, water stations, and a free t-shirt. The event is sure to be a great way to spend a Saturday. The t-shirt and goody bag can be picked up by anyone who has registered. Pick-up is Wednesday, October 7, 4 - 7 p.m. at Fleet Feet in Blue Ash (9525 Kenwood Rd #42); Thursday, October 8, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. in UCBA Dean’s Suite (Muntz Hall, 140); or Friday, October 9, 8 a.m. - Noon in UCBA Dean’s Suite (Muntz Hall, 140).

The cost for running is as follows: $15 in advance from students and $20 from students the day of the race. For non-students the cost is $25 in advance and $35 the day of the race. The run also gives anyone the option to sleep-in and not attend the race but still receive the t-shirt for $25.

There are multiple awards categories including special awards for top male and female runner. Honors will be given to the best male and female runners from each age group, best average team time, most participants in team, best costume, biggest corporate team, and the largest corporate team. According to Runningtime.net, Andy Loufman, from Bay Village, Ohio was the first place finalist with a time of seventeen minutes and thirty seconds in last year’s run.    Registration is from 7:30 to 8:20 a.m. before the race; sign up early so the third annual 5k can reach the 800 participant goal. The race is at 9555 Plainfield Road, Blue Ash, OH US 45236 and information is available at https://www.runningtime.net/Races/UCBlueAsh/Information.htm. Hope to see you all there.

— With reporting by Margaret Bush