At 8 a.m. Saturday, more than 1,400 people will hit the ground running to benefit CSU’s Heart Disease Prevention program in the 32nd annual CSU Homecoming and Family Weekend 5K race.
The race starts at the university’s Oval and involves a flat course throughout campus for serious and beginner runners and walkers, as well as a Kid’s Fun Run led by CAM the Ram.
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Last year, more than 2,100 participants and another 850 children participated in the 5K and fun run. It was one of the faster races clocked in the city, according to a university news release.
At least 1,800 people are expected to participate in this year’s race, as well as 300 children in the fun run. Race coordinators are expecting more participants to register on the day of the race if weather permits.
The Department of Health & Exercise Science organizes the race. Sponsors include Youth Sport Camps, Poudre Valley Hospital and Triple Crown Sports. There are 15 sponsors in total.
“Due to the generosity of our sponsors we know the race will raise $30,000,” said Dr. Richard Gay Israel, executive director of the Human Performance Clinical Research Laboratory (HPCRL).
The Heart Disease Prevention program is one of nine programs and services the research laboratory provides.
“The HDPP (Heart Disease Prevention program) has several goals,” wrote Tiffany Lipsey, assistant director of the HPCRL, in an email to the Collegian. “Assessment of known risk factors for cardiovascular disease; reduction of the likelihood of developing heart and vascular disease, and use of cardiovascular risk factor status in the development of individualized strategies for lifestyle changes.”
The program is intended for the citizens of Colorado and beyond. Funds generated through the HDPP support program operations, student fellowships and research in the HPCRL and the Department of Health and Exercise Science, according to the HDPP website.
All of the proceeds are used to directly benefit the Heart Disease Prevention program (HDPP).
“The proceeds have enabled us to provide the HDPP at an affordable price for the public,” Lipsey wrote. “Recently, the proceeds from the race have gone to fund renovations and new equipment including two electrocardiography and treadmill systems that we use for exercise testing.
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The program’s main clients are firefighters from across the state. They currently work with nine departments from local areas and as far away as Eagle county and Silda, Lipsey said.
The HDPP is part of the Human Performance Clinical Research Laboratory (HPCRL) located next to Moby Arena.
Collegian Writer Kevin Ruby can be reached at news@collegian.com.
