After last year’s successful virtual race to adapt to the 2020 pandemic, the Colorado State University Department of Health and Exercise Science is proud to announce that the Homecoming 5K Race will be back on campus – a triumphant return to the CSU Oval for the 41st annual race on Oct. 9.
Back on campus
In an effort to welcome everyone back to campus, the Homecoming 5K committee has a variety of options for runners to participate. This year the race will have three unique start times on the Oval to accommodate runners of all abilities. At 7:50 a.m., the Push Rim Division, composed of those who use wheeled assisted devices, will be released in the first wave of racers. At 7:55 a.m., the Push Assist Division, including runners who need assistance with their wheeled devices, will be released in the second wave of starts. At 8 a.m., the remaining runners in the Open Division will be released, allowing all abilities to be accommodated in the starting process.
The Homecoming 5K is also excited to welcome back the Kids Fun Run, which will consist of several laps around the Oval. The Kids Fun Run will start at 9 a.m., and will precede the awards ceremony. There will also be food, booths, and festivities in the Isotope Drive plaza off of the Oval immediately following the race.
Virtual runners also welcome
After enthusiastic support from alumni around the world, the department has made sure that racers are still welcome to run the race virtually, submitting their times during the week of Homecoming, starting the morning of Oct. 3 through the beginning of the race festivities on Oct. 9. Virtual racers will need to submit proof via a tracking up, such as Apple Health, Samsung Health, Google Fit, Strava, Garmin, Fitbit, or other popular running or fitness apps by sending a screenshot or record to homecoming5k@colostate.edu. Virtual runners may also submit photos of themselves or their teams, and are eligible for random drawing prizes as well as photo-themed prizes. Photos shared may be uploaded to the website and social media, so please be aware before sharing, and let the department know if you’d like to opt out of sharing photographs.
Recognizing a legacy
Since the 40th anniversary event was a virtual-only event, the Homecoming 5K committee has decided to use the 41st anniversary to reflect on the legacy of the race, and what the past 40+ years of the race have done for the community and the campus programs the race supports. The race began as a way to support the Adult Fitness program, and this year the Adult Fitness program is once again the beneficiary to honor that history. Sherri Linell, the founder of the Homecoming 5K, is the guest of honor, and will be awarded a lifetime achievement award at the awards ceremony.
Registration is open
Registration for virtual and in-person runners is open online. Runners can select their t-shirt size, whether they plan to participate virtually or in-person, and if they’d like to have their racer’s packet shipped to them for a small fee or pick up in-person. Racers who would prefer to pick up can get their race packets at the Health and Exercise Science Moby B office or one of the various community pick-ups, which will be announced on social media throughout the month of September. Racers can also pick up their race packets before 7:45 a.m. on race day at race central, located on the Isotope Drive Plaza.
Students with a valid ID can register with their ID number for $20 in-person or on the website. Early bird registration for adults is $25 for adults and $20 for kids 12 and under through Oct. 1. Pre-registration is $30 from Oct. 1-8. The online store will close on the evening of Oct. 8. Race day registration will be $35 and can be completed at runners central on the Oval. Groups of 20 or more are eligible for a 10% group discount. Email homecoming5k@colostate.edu to register and receive the group rate. Requests for groups must be received by Friday, Oct. 1, for proper processing and discount.
Runners may also choose to register in person at the Health and Exercise Science Moby B office or at one of the various community pick-up events announced on social media this month. For more information, see the Homecoming 5K website.
The Department of Health and Exercise Science is part of CSU’s College of Health and Human Sciences.
