River House Run/Walk 5K Oct. 10 helps kick off Homecoming and JU “Exercise is Medicine” initiative

A fun, high-energy kickoff to JU Homecoming & Family Weekend is in store Oct. 10, with the first JU River House Run/Walk 5K.

(Price increases midnight Friday, Oct. 2! See details below and here.)

The path winds through the beautiful JU campus; runners will soak in views of the St. Johns River, pass under the historic oak trees in the heart of campus, complete a fast lap on the JU track, and finish the race at the “River House Post-Race Party.” The festivities will include refreshments, beer, music, awards, and free running events for children (100m dashes and obstacle courses).

The event highlights the new program designating JU an “Exercise is Medicine” campus. Exercise is Medicine (EIM) is an important new global health initiative developed by the American College of Sports Medicine (the largest and best sports medicine and exercise science organization in the world). This year, JU will become an Exercise is Medicine campus. See http://www.exerciseismedicine.org. JU will start nine major agendas for the year, plus hold weekly events. This spring, the University’s EIM keynote speaker will be the world-renowned Dr. Robert Sallis, the former president of ACSM and founder of Exercise is Medicine.

For the 5K event Oct. 10, runners will receive free admission to all of the Homecoming & Family Weekend athletic events:

• 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Glass Blowing Studio Open House and Demonstration
• 12:00 p.m. JU Alumni Baseball Game
• 1:00 p.m. JU Volleyball vs. Lipscomb at Historic Swisher Gymnasium
• 6:00 p.m. Football game vs. Stetson at D.B. Milne Field
• 7:00 p.m. Men’s Soccer vs. Stetson at Southern Oak Stadium

This race will be directed by JU Kinesiology (faculty and students) and the Student Veterans Association. Funds from this race will support these programs and great causes at JU! Specifically, profits will support:

• JU Kinesiology Running Research: equipment to study running biomechanics
• Scholarships for the Student Veterans Association
• The JU Annual Fund

Register Now through First Place Sports.

EVENT DETAILS

Entry Fees

Standard Registration

Early Online Registration By Friday, October 2 $25
Late Online Registration Saturday, October 3 – Thursday, October 8 $30
At Packet Pickup Friday, October 9 at JU 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Cash or check only. $35
Day of Race Saturday, October 10 at JU 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Cash or check only. $40

Discount Registration

These prices are available to current JU students and employees, as well as youth ages 18 and younger. JU students and employees must show current JU ID at packet pickup.

Early Online Registration By Friday, October 2 $10
Late Online Registration Saturday, October 3 – Thursday, October 8 $15
At Packet Pickup Friday, October 9 at JU 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Cash or check only. $20
Day of Race Saturday, October 10 at JU 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Cash or check only. $25

Prizes

Cash Prizes

• Top 3 overall male and female ($100, $75, $50)
• Top masters male and female ($50)

Age Group Prizes

• JU River House Run pint glasses!
• JU Water bottles for youth age group winners!
• Top 3 finishers in each age group:
  10 and under, 11-13, 14-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80 & over

Packet Pickup

Packet pickup will be at JU in the Lobby of the Health Sciences Building on Friday, Oct. 9th from 11AM – 7PM. Parking is available in a lot next to the building. Click here for a map of the packet pickup location and parking.

Runners are invited to visit the JU Kinesiology Running Research Laboratory during packet pickup to see a research demonstration and learn about the current research agenda. The laboratory is on the 2nd floor near the top of the stairs.

All runners will receive a JU t-shirt and tickets for JU Homecoming Athletics in their “goodie bag.”

Parking

Enter JU at the main entrance (University Blvd and Merrill Road). Signs and students will direct drivers to the large parking lot “down the hill” by the Dolphin Green. Parking is free. The race begins just down the road (by the River House). Click here for a map of parking for the day of the race.

Restrooms

The JU Baseball complex restrooms will be available for runners before and after the race.

Race Route

• Beautiful course through JU campus
• Route includes a lap on the JU track

Click here to download the map of the race route (PDF).

Race Directors