The Homecoming Charity 5K Race: A loved UF tradition

By: Ana Grace Anderson

Two weeks ago, my friends invited me to run in UF’s annual Homecoming Charity 5K Race, which took place on Friday, September 20th. This race is one of the many events that marks the beginning of homecoming at the University of Florida. For many, myself included, homecoming is the best week of the year. There are so many fun events and opportunities during the week to celebrate our school and spend time with friends, such as the homecoming parade, Gator Growl concert and the annual homecoming pageant! The homecoming 5K is a fan-favorite tradition and something students countdown the days to.The race serves many purposes but is primarily in support of the national charity “Sleep in Heavenly Peace,” a student-led organization that builds and delivers beds to children in need. The majority of proceeds and donations from the race are dedicated to this charity, which is one of the many reasons it’s so amazing!  

University of Florida students Emma Lawrence, Sam Childs and Lilly Moidel

Gathering my closest friends, I laced up my running shoes and began the pre-race festivities at First Magnitude in downtown Gainesville. Upon arriving, I immediately felt a warm sense of community. The turnout was so much bigger than what I had predicted – there were hundreds of people combined of students, family and alumni. Everyone was buzzing with excitement for the starting whistle to go off and embark on our run. During the opening ceremonies, I mingled with others and met so many amazing people! Everyone had their own reasons for being there, whether to spend some much needed outdoor time with friends or dedicate their evening to supporting a really cool philanthropy. 

View from Depot Park

Before the race began, we got to hear an inspiring speech from Meb Keflezighi, an olympic silver medalist and Boston and New York marathon winner. Keflezighi shared his road to success and how it motivated him to work towards his many accomplishments. In his speech he emphasized the importance of commitment and dedication; no matter how small the odds are. According to him, “running is a choice,” similar to that choice we all made that day. He told us that “we have to make tough decisions in life,” but explained these decisions are what lead to success. Although few of us were there to win an Olympic medal, our decision to participate certainly made an impact on our own lives and the lives of others! 

University of Florida students Sierra Warnygora, Ava Hurst and Catherine Vandergriff

After they blew the starting whistle, the race finally began! There was so much excitement as the crowd rushed towards the finish line. Some people ran alone, while others ran in groups. We took a route throughout Depot Park, which is a really popular spot here in Gainesville. My favorite part was the “spirit squad” where people from the community came to cheer us on as we ran. They were gathered in support and yelled positive encouragement as we zipped past. 

The view was so beautiful, especially since the run took place in the evening. My friends and I enjoyed watching the sunset as we got a good workout for the day. The path we ran took us through a nature trail, which made the whole experience nice and relaxing. For someone who had never visited Depot Park, this run definitely convinced me to come back in the future. 

The most memorable part of the race was the conversation I was lucky to hear between groups of racers. I heard so many beautiful friendships forming between people who otherwise would’ve never met. There was a mix of all ages, majors, and backgrounds, so it was a great way to meet someone outside your usual circle. I loved seeing everyone meeting new people, while also making memories with their friends. As someone who LOVES to talk, this was definitely my scene. Though we were all technically competing, all I heard was support. Everyone was encouraging one another to complete the race to the best of their abilities, whether that meant running or walking. And as each person crossed the finish line, they were celebrated, just as much as if they had won first place!

By the end of the race, my day was made. I left with a new community and lots of memories. It was heartwarming to see how many people decided to take time out of their Friday to support an amazing cause. I hope to see everyone back next year!