By Caitlin Murray
Buffalo State College University Police recommend using a “buddy system” when running around campus.
But that won’t be an issue at this year’s Bengal 5K Run.
More than 400 participants are expected to run in the 10th annual race through campus slated for March 24. And this year, bringing buddies along will be even easier with a new group discount, said race coordinator Jennifer Small.
Students from on-campus organizations, sports teams, fraternities and sororities or residence halls can sign up in a group of 10 or more by March 21 and save $2 per person.
“Whether someone is an athlete or not, it doesn’t matter,” Small said. “It’s a nice flat course and it’s a nice way to bring the campus community together.”
But athletes still take the races seriously every year, Small said.
Associate Athletics Director Tom Koller said one of the men's soccer teams had signed up as a group weeks in advance.
"We want to get our student-athletes out there and participating," Koller said. "It's not only a great event to run in but it's also a great way to have them exposed to the rest of the campus community."
One non-athlete group registered to participate is the United Students Government. More than a dozen senators and executive officers will run alongside each other – the biggest group they’ve ever had for the annual race, USG President Matthew Levin-Stankevich said.
“It’s something that we’ve done in past years and we’ve just been trying to get more people in USG to participate,” he said. “This year, we got a full group.”
USG Vice President for Community Relations Kathryn Ammirato said being able to do a campus event like the Bengal Run with her colleagues can promote building a team mentality.
“I think participating as a group can help our group dynamics,” Ammirato said. “When we do any kind of activity such as this one, when we have more than one member, we are showing the overall support that USG will give. It helps us work together as a team and a united front.”
Students wishing to pre-register as a group should call 878-6001 or visit the Bengal 5K Run on the Web. The pre-registration deadline is March 21, but participants will be accepted right up until the day of the race. Pre-registration includes:
All proceeds from the race go to the Alumni Association’s Legacy Scholarship Fund.
Contact reporter Caitlin Murray at murrca47@gmail.com.
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Students take off after the starting gun is fired in last year’s run, which attracted over 350 participants. This year, the number is expected to be over 400, said Jennifer Small, race coordinator. Credit:Bruce A Fox
