UT's Longhorn Run celebrates 15 years
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Editor's note: This story was written by University of Texas student Chloe Moore for Axios Austin.
Every spring, University of Texas students, faculty and the city's running community lace up their sneakers for the Longhorn Run — a campus tradition that's marking its 15th anniversary this year.
Why it matters: Longhorn Run organizers say they expect record-breaking turnout Saturday for the race's 5K and 10K events.
- The spike in registration numbers comes as Austin run clubs experience record growth and as races across the country see an increase in participation.
Driving the news: The Longhorn Run sold out weeks ago for the second year in a row, with 8,000 participants expected to run through UT's campus.
What they're saying: Organizers are shifting their focus to the experience during the race by adding water stations and increasing support along the sidelines, according to Kari Terry, UT RecSports' senior assistant director for corporate partners.
- "I really think we've been able to celebrate that we've successfully turned Longhorn Run into a campus tradition rather than just like, 'Oh, here's this random race that students go and run,'" Terry says.
Between the lines: Longhorn Run began as a student government initiative in 2010, with 2-mile and 10K race options.
- It's since moved under the umbrella of UT's RecSports, and a 14-person student committee works year-round to put the race on.
- "We want to continue to kind of create that opportunity and hopefully be a memorable moment in everyone's four years here on campus," Terry says.
If you go: Cheer runners on at 8am.
- Find this year's course map and other event information on their website.
Pro tip: Terry recommends getting to campus early to accommodate extra traffic. She also encourages first-time runners to run with friends and take advantage of events to meet other runners.