Almost 1,000 students ran this year’s annual MidKnight 5K, hosted by the Recreation and Wellness Center (RWC).
“Last year we had 642 runners, so that was a big bump for us,” says Leah Freeman, RWC marketing and communications manager. Freeman notes that major sponsors like Orlando Health, Lululemon, and Coke helped boost the event’s success by providing prizes for the winners.
Registration for the student-only race sold out in just seven hours, prompting event managers to open an additional 100 spots. The 930 checked-in runners set a new record for the popular event. The novelty of a nighttime run is a big part of the appeal, says Assistant Director of Fitness Aliyah Valdez.
“We want to provide an alternative to typical Friday night activities,” Valdez says.
Glow sticks, neon paint, and a DJ sponsored by Late Knights and Student Government kept energy levels high throughout the race, while the route took runners past familiar UCF landmarks like the John C. Hitt Library and Memory Mall.
RWC staff hope the 5K’s growing success will help highlight its broader mission to promote holistic wellness for students.
“The RWC offers a space for students to build community, and the MidKnight 5K represents that,” says Graduate Assistant of Fitness Sydney Rouviere. “With a wide variety of programs…there is something for everyone.”