Low morning temperatures couldn't stop local runners and walkers last weekend.
Competitors from around the area converged on Peden Stadium's parking lot Saturday for the second annual Frostbite 5K fundraiser event hosted by the Russ College of Engineering and Technology.
The benefit run wrapped up events for Ohio University's weeklong celebration of National Engineers Week, which included a presentation of the biennial Russ Prize in Washington D.C. Tuesday.
The run, hosted jointly by the Russ College and the West Virginia-based engineering firm Pickering Associates, was started last year to generate money for engineering scholarships for southeastern Ohio students.
This is what National Engineers Week is about: drawing attention to that profession and getting students into schools that can get them into jobs as engineers
said Jeff Guess, a 2003 Russ graduate and leading organizer.
The course took competitors west of the parking lot and up Richland Avenue. After crossing behind Baker University Center, down Morton Hill and through East Green, they looped back on the bike trail and finished in front of Baker Center. After roughly three miles, competitors were greeted with water, snacks and music.
The 111-person group for the event marks a significant growth from last year's 92 entrants.
We even had a wheelchair participant this year which is a new thing. So we created a division for her; gave her her own medal Guess said.
Although the runners didn't get to enjoy Saturday's warmer afternoon temperatures, the weather was largely cooperative. Up until the beginning of the race, organizers had little idea what to expect of the weather, Guess added.
Well
it has to be chilly if it's going to be the Frostbite 5k
said 28th-place finisher Tony Mollica. But if you have the right equipment it doesn't matter.
3
Culture
Adam Liebendorfer
27218b.jpg
