The third annual Run with the Duck took place Saturday morning with the Duck leading a charge of students, faculty and community members at the start of the 5k course.
Four-hundred and fifty people pre-registered for the event, with more signing up at the registration tables by Hayward Field — the starting and finishing point of the Run. The event was organized by Healthy Oregon in partnership with PacificSource Health Plans.
“When you do a ‘fun run’ it’s easier to keep it at a 5k, but there has been talk of expanding it to a 10k,” said Marci Torres, director of Health Oregon who organized the Run.
Initially, the event was more relaxed, and while it is still considered a ‘fun run’, its increased popularity has added the element of a more formal race with prizes for the fastest female (17:10) and male (15:25) runners.
“It’s more than doubled in size (since last year), so it’s gaining momentum,” Torres said.
For those interested in personal fitness, a six-week training program was offered to get participants ready for the Run.
“We had about 200 people sign up,” Torres said.
Torres explained that the program was included in an effort to meet the fitness needs of the campus as another result of the increased interest in the event.
Regardless of whether they were there for fun or sport, the crowd’s overall attitude was high-spirited.
“It’s fun to do things like this in Eugene where running is such a big part of the culture,” Torres said.