The 43rd Annual Homecoming 5K at Colorado State University celebrated another strong year as a community staple for the Homecoming season, a testament to the unity and shared enthusiasm among the Department of Health and Exercise Science and the Fort Collins community. This year marked another year of growth, drawing in over 1,400 excited participants, including dedicated alumni and engaged community members, officially making the CSU Homecoming 5K the largest solo 5K event in Fort Collins.  

Participants gathered on the iconic CSU Oval on a crisp and vibrant October morning. Under the guidance of Barry Braun, department head, and the Homecoming 5K committee, the event has evolved into much more than a race, but a spirited celebration while rallying support for a cause:  funding paid student research scholars so they can further their studies iand help support themselves. 

“The Department of Health and Exercise Science is grateful for the support of the community and dedicated sponsors of the Homecoming 5K,” said Braun. “With their contributions, we raised more than $35,000 to support students. The 5K is a beloved annual tradition to help mark CSU’s Homecoming celebrations and helps fulfill the department’s goal of fostering a healthy and vibrant future for all individuals in the community.” 

Remembering Ryan 

This year’s 5K returned to the beloved course format, starting the race on the Oval and running through the center of campus and out around Laurel St., offering a tour of CSU’s expansive campus. This year’s shirt honored health and exercise science instructor and course designer, Ryan Donovan, who passed away earlier this year, with a “Run Like Ryan” art mark to commemorate him and his efforts to make the course engaging, fun, easy, and accessible for all participants. The mark is in remembrance of him as an integral part of the community and the 5K, from his time as an HES student running the race to his days as a faculty member and designer of the 5K course.  

Uplifting students  

The significance of the Homecoming 5K extends well beyond the event’s festivities. It serves as a spark, rallying the community to raise over $35,000 in support of over 10 Alonso Quijano Research Scholars. The goal of the Alonso Quijano Research Scholars, a new initiative spearheaded by Braun and the HES department, is to provide hands-on training in research labs and outreach programs, as well as academic support roles at CSU or a non-profit partner. One goal of the program is to allow financially vulnerable students who need paid employment to support their education with a job that complements their academic career rather than taking time away from it. The program will provide students with advanced skills that will set them apart when entering the next phase of their professional journey. 

New traditions  

This year a few new features were added, such as the introduction of Comatose, the CSU cannon known for marking the touchdowns at each of the football games in Canvas stadium. The CSU ROTC brought the cannon out to fire at the start of the race in place of the traditional starting gun. Runners greeted the cannon blast with cheers and excitement. Before the boom, Braun addressed the crowd, and Mainstreet A Capella sang the national anthem, while the ROTC presented colors.  

This year’s event was coordinated by Green Events, which is owned by CSU Health and Exercise Science alumna Lisa Sinclair (B.S. exercise and sport science, ’00; M.B.A. ’09) 

Committed to Accessibility 

A continual highlight of this event is the unwavering commitment to inclusivity. The event incorporated of gender non-binary categories and inclusive classifications to allow a diverse set of participants, including Push Rim and Push Assist runners. The committee hopes to continue to promote an environment of inclusiveness and diversity, to foster a sense of belonging and support among participants of all abilities and identities. 

Beyond the physical gathering, the event resonated far beyond geographical boundaries, continuing to allow runners from anywhere to participate in the festivities. Virtual participation from individuals across the nation and abroad added a digital dimension to the Homecoming festivities. With runners able to submit their race times through RunSignUp and participate from anywhere in the world, the event continues to embrace its broader community and extend its reach globally. 

Breaking records and personal bests 

The 5K wasn’t simply a showcase of athletic skill; it was a stage for extraordinary accomplishments. Runners such as Oisom O’Gailin, 26, and Thomas Rohr, 24, etched their names in the event’s history, achieving groundbreaking records with remarkable times—O’Gailin broke his previous record of 14 minutes and 39 seconds and set the all-time course record for a second year in a row, with a time of 14 minutes and 21 seconds – a pace of four minutes and 38 seconds per mile. Rohr was not far behind at 15 minutes 7 seconds.  

Post-race celebrations reverberated across the Oval and into the Isotope Drive courtyard, as attendees enjoyed the vibrant atmosphere. Families and siblings delighted in the Kids Race, a short lap around the Oval for the youngest participants after the 5K, which added a heartwarming touch to the event. Participants also enjoyed an array of games, refreshments, and booths hosted by community sponsors and the Health and Exercise Science outreach programs.  

The awards ceremony paid tribute to the dedication and endurance of top runners across diverse categories. T.S. Berger’s meticulously crafted mugs and plates bestowed a cherished touch to the awards, symbolizing the unique accomplishments of each winner. The ceremony highlighted the podium finishers and the spirit of participation and determination that resonated throughout the event, honoring participants of all ages and running levels. See images of the event on the College of Health and Human Sciences Flickr page.  

 

A thank you to our sponsors

The Homecoming 5K Race is a community event, and we couldn’t do it without our dedicated community sponsors. We are honored to have sponsorships from community members, alumni, local businesses, and corporations. Local sponsorships are an integral part of our ability to bring this event to life every year and make a tremendous impact on our beneficiary program.

Thank you again to our official 2023 sponsors. Your donations will make a difference for the 2023 5K beneficiary – the Alonso Quijano Research Scholars. We are so grateful for your continual support.

 

The Department of Health and Exercise Science is part of CSU’s College of Health and Human Sciences.