Attendees of Eugene’s “first run” started 2011 by bringing in the new year with exercise, getting the earliest possible jump on fulfilling their resolutions of getting in shape.
Held in many large cities around the country, the first run is an annual option for people of varying abilities looking to skip the traditional partying by running any number of miles.
Dallas, Texas, rung in 2011 with its annual five mile run, while Morganton, N.C., offered more intensive 100- and 50-mile versions in the Freedom Park New Year’s Ultra Run.
Eugene’s version is the First Run 10k(6.2 miles)/5k(3.1 miles). Presented by Valley River Inn and organized by Electric Edge Events, the run gave local residents and visitors a chance to participate in a healthy option that shies away from the chaos of typical New Year’s events that revolve around a partying atmosphere.
Eugene’s run, much like many other cities’, provided two separate chances to bring in the new year with a run. The actual first run, which kicked off at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 31, allowed people to run or walk — the first thing they did in 2011. For people who may have had plans on New Year’s Eve or didn’t want to stay awake until midnight, the event also had a run that started at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 1. Some active residents participated in both.
The course started at the Valley River Inn, located right next to Valley River Center, and wound around the scenic and relatively flat Willamette River bike path. The night run was well-lit, with plenty of enthusiastic volunteers standing by to help cheer on participants. Depending on the distance, the run wrapped around the river path, ending back at the Inn.
Although the event is typically cold due to its winter timing, this year was especially frigid as runners endured Eugene temperatures as low as the high twenties.
Despite the chill and paying between $15 to $35 depending on age and run, participants showed up by the numbers to run and have an all-around good time.
The river path was filled with a variety of people dressed up in running clothes, while some donned the typical New Year’s party glasses, hats and streamers.
For their effort, the event winners received awards. The top three male and female finishers in both the five-kilometer and 10-kilometer runs and enthusiastic runners who ran both the night and morning run received awards.
Mario Gaddini of Eugene won the 5k and Bradley Ferner of Roseburg won the 10k on New Year’s Eve. Alex Jones of Springfield won the 5k and Craig Godwin of Eugene won the 10k on New Year’s Day. Ferner also won the combined result by running in both the New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day 10ks.
Although the run was one way to start off 2011, most students opted to follow their own annual traditions and hold off exercise for at least one more day.
“New Year’s is more about celebrating, socializing and going out,” senior Trevor Anderson said. “I can get a workout in anytime later in 2011.”