STU’s cross-country team hosted a five-kilometre run last Saturday to promote healthy living.
Organizer of the Spring Fun Run and captain of the girls team Olivia Long said the team wanted to make sure everyone was invited to participate in the event.
“It’s kind of just like, here’s what it’s like to run a five-k or to walk a five-k and to show people that they can do it without a lot of training,” she said.
Haoyang (Lucas) Liu placed last in the race. He said it was “brutal.”
“I never practiced running before, and smoked since I was twelve,” he said, “so pretty much this is the first time I’ve run in a really long time.”
Even still, Liu thought the run was a great way to support his friends on the cross-country team as well as enjoy the great weather.
He did it to support himself too.
“It’s a time for me to practice and pick it up, try to quit smoking,” he said.
Long ran beside Liu as he crossed the finish line, cheering him on, reminding him that he could do it.
“I saw him just trekking along the path, and he was really struggling,” she said, “so I just sort of grabbed my stuff and started running with him to give him some encouragement because he only had about 500 metres left. I really didn’t want him to have to walk that.”
The actions of Long and her team motivated Liu. He’s looking forward to other organized runs to keep in him on track.
“I doubt I can join the cross-country team,” he said, “but I heard they’re going to offer learn how to run in the summertime at the J.B. O’Keefe Centre.”
The 17 runners of the Spring Fun Run started on the trail by the UNB soccer field. They continued on to Forest Hill Road, up Canterbury Drive and Essex Street, around Ascot Drive, Bliss Carman Drive and Reading Street, and back again.
The sun shone bright on Saturday with temperatures surpassing 20 degrees.
Next year Long says to look out for the Spring “Get Fit” Run.
