From the campus recreation center to the Ent Center for the Arts, UCCS’ 19th annual “Bash the Bluffs 5K” will take you on a route through campus with views of Colorado Springs and Pikes Peak.
The Bash the Bluffs race will return to UCCS’ campus on April 17. For the past 18 years, the Bash the Bluffs 5K run and walk has taken place to remember Ed Burke, a beloved exercise science professor at UCCS who passed away in 2002.
Cynthia Lewis, a fitness coordinator at the UCCS Recreation Center explained that this year’s race will be conducted both virtually and in person. The virtual course allows people to see the course and run/walk it any time before April 17. Virtual runners/walkers will need to register and can also have their times tracked. Information on how to do so will be provided after individuals complete the registration process.
The in-person race will take all necessary precautions to follow COVID-19 guidelines. Face coverings will be required to be worn by everyone before and after the race and participants will start in staggered times in groups of 10. This will help to avoid groups of people congregating during the run. Besides this, the race will look very similar to past years’ races.
Lewis said she strongly believes that UCCS students and members of the community should participate in the Bash the Bluffs 5K.
She said, “The UCCS community has gone through a challenging year and has not had many opportunities to come together in-person for events like this. Bash the Bluffs will provide the UCCS and Colorado Springs Community an opportunity to celebrate our resiliency, deep friendship, and opportunity to gather together. This is a celebration of the good that UCCS has been able to share with our Colorado Springs community through leading the fight against COVID19.”
Participation in the 5K will be open to everyone in the community, whether you choose to walk the course, run, or bring your dog or children in a stroller. When you register to participate in the run/walk you will receive a T-shirt, medal and various food and snacks. The race will take place April 17 at 9:00 a.m..
While there is no deadline to register, it is advised to register as soon as possible in order to get the lowest price. If you register before April 17, you will pay $5 less than the cost of registering the day of the event.
According to Lewis, veterans will be eligible to receive a discount for this race as well as “UCCS students, staff, and faculty who have used certain Campus Recreation services in the past year (Fitness Buddies, SOLE activities, cooking demonstrations, and intramurals).”
If you fall into one of these categories, reach out to Cynthia Lewis at [email protected] for the discount code. Otherwise, race pricing is as follows:
Current UCCS Students and Campus Recreation Members: $20
UCCS Community: $25
General Public: $30
Virtual Race Option: $20
All prices increase by $5 if you register on race day.
When participants register for this race, they will have the opportunity to donate to the Ed Burke Memorial Scholarship Endowment Fund. This fund is utilized to provide scholarships to students with exercise science majors at UCCS. According to the Gallogly Recreation and Wellness Center website, this year’s 5K will also be connected to two organizations, including the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) and Team Red, White and Blue.
You can get more information and register at the following event page.