The Get to Know You Fun Run gains status as an annual event this fall when the University community gathers Saturday, Sept. 24 to challenge the scenic 5K campus course.

The run debuted as an installation event for President Mike Mahon and his wife Maureen last year and proved to be very popular, with more than 80 people taking part. It prompted organizers to look at the run as an annual opportunity to gather the University community for an activity that promotes health and wellness, all the while lending support to a local charitable organization. This year, all proceeds raised will go to support the local chapter of KidSport, an organization that provides support to children in order to remove financial barriers that prevent them from playing organized sports.

"We wanted it to be a local charity and something that fits with the theme of physical fitness and promoting an active community," says Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Chair of the run organizing committee. "We also want to continue to foster that community relationship the University has established with Lethbridge and southern Alberta."

The inaugural event drew participants from both the University as well as the community as a whole. Copeland says the course is designed to give runners a look at the entire University campus, possibly showing people areas they've never seen before.

"People often come to campus for a very specific reason, and they rarely ever wander around. We designed the course to take in parts of campus that they might not usually get to, like the Breezeway and around Aperture Lake and so on," she says. "We also wanted to feature our new buildings such as the Alberta Water and Environmental Science Building, Markin Hall and the new addition to the Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, so it gives people the opportunity to see what's new on campus."

Registration for the event is $15 per person and can be done by contacting Sport and Recreation Services (403-329-2706, www.uleth.ca/sportrec).

Copeland says to keep in mind that the event is a fun run/walk and is open to everyone.

"Lots of people walked the course last year and had a great time with it," she says, adding there were a number of strollers being pushed around the course. "It's not a super-competitive event. We will have a clock this year so that people can chart their times but we're not issuing any official times. It's whatever you want to make of it."

Live music will be featured at the finish line, along with refreshments and, if last year was any indication, a number of excellent draw prizes. As well, the first 75 registrants will receive a special Fun Run hat.

"It's a lot of fun, a great way to really see the campus and a reason to get out and be active for a good cause."

This story first appeared in the Legend. For a look at the Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.