The annual 5K Fun Run/Walk hosted by VSU Campus Recreation and Campus Wellness happened on Saturday.

 Registration began at 6 a.m. and the race started at 7 a.m. from the West Hall fountain on VSU’s main campus.

 The perimeter of the main campus served as the course for the race.

 The runners raced for 5km (3.1 miles) around the course.

 Entry fee for VSU students wass $12 and $15 for all others through 3p.m Friday.

 The cost for all participants was $20 on the race day.

 Awards were given for first place winners in each of the divided age categories: ages 13-17, ages 18-19, ages 30-50, and ages 51 and up.

 Random prizes were awarded and all paid participants received a T-shirt.

 The theme of the event was “Blazer Pride.”

 Runners wore red and black to show their school pride.

 “The goal of the fun run/walk is to receive equal participation from the population among the campus as well as the community,” Katy Latevola, Special Events and Student Development graduate assistant said. “This event is put on in effort to promote healthy living throughout the community as well as giving the community the opportunity to engage in a 5k.”

The original purpose of this event was to celebrate the centennial anniversary of VSU.

Since its inception, it has become a very successful event. This was the seventh year for the fun run/walk.

“The benefit for students is that they are taking the opportunity to attend an event that is being put on by their university, and it also promotes an active and healthy lifestyle,” Latevola said.

“It is also a great chance for our community to feel a little bit more connected with our students and introduce our campus,” Shawn Phippen, associate director of Facilities, Fitness and Aquatics said. “That’s always important for the university to have that kind of connection with them.”