ORANGE
The University of Texas at Austin’s Longhorn Run took place this weekend, kicking off bright and early on Saturday morning. Chattering teenagers and focused faculty members stretched and jogged alongside each other during this unifying event. Some racers are serious while others are lighthearted. Runners participated for various reasons, whether it was for fun or to just stay in shape.
By London Gibson
Mechanical Engineering senior Amber Dressler has participated in the Longhorn Run before, and has been running since her freshman year of college. ”It’s a good stress relief from engineering classes,” Amber says.
After the race, participants gather underneath the UT tower for photos, free food, and good conversation.
Crowds gather excitedly around the starting off point, just across from the Littlefield Fountain at the south end of the tower. Black and burnt orange tee shirts fill the streets as people of all ages shift to the sidelines to watch the races begin.
Vibrant sneakers peek out from behind stretching racers, their owner warming up for the 5K round.
At the intersection of Dean Keeton Street and Whitis Avenue, musicians play peppy tunes to keep the runners in good spirits and at good pace.
Masses of runners begin the 3 or 6 mile trek around the UT campus. Hundreds of students, faculty, alumni, and fans participated in this year’s event.
Caution: shoulders jump as the cannon goes off, signaling the beginnings of the 10K and the 5K.
On your mark, get set, go! The front line of runners sprints upon the sound of the cannonfire, kicking off the 5K race.
At the last water station until the finish line, volunteers gather and pose just before the wave of runners comes by.
Third year computer science major Jessica Paz volunteers at the Longhorn Run for the first time. Though she’s not running in this race, she volunteers just because she likes running in general.
Little longhorns get a bear-hug from Bevo at the sideline of the starting line.
A bewildered-looking child throws his horns up, and is pushed in a car at the starting line of the race.
A cheerful participant jogs along just after the cannon blows, signaling the beginning of the 5K race.
William Rich, mechanical engineering and music double major, is a sophomore at UT. He’s never run the Longhorn Run before, but is excited to take part this year. “I’m running because, for me, I just want to be more healthy and stay in shape,” he says.
Members of the US Marine Corps run in their uniforms at the last leg of the race, displaying pride for their country.
Longhorn cheerleaders support the participants and wait on the sidelines for the race to start.
You don’t have to run to be a part of the race; longhorn fans expectantly wait to cheer on the racers, moments before the race begins.
UT’s Longhorn Band plays upbeat songs at the start of the race, sending off the runners with a fanfare.
The last leg: an exhausted runner takes a water cup from one of the volunteers at the last water stop until the finish line.
Freshman chemical engineering major Teresa Wang is nervous but ready for the Longhorn Run. “My friend just wanted to sign up for it,” Wang says. “I started running about two months ago and I was just like, why not?”
Splashing around runners’ ankles, used water cups crash to the ground at a water station on Whitis Avenue.