23 April 2019
Derek Lee
This Saturday, on April 27, UCCS will host its 18th annual Bash the Bluffs 5K Walk/Run. Last year’s 5K, a race open to the UCCS community and to the public. Last year’s race featured over 150 participants, and this year’s is expected to also top 100.
The race will begin at 9:30 a.m. and end around 12:30 p.m. Participants can show up as early as 8:30 a.m. Registration is open until 8 a.m. the day of the race, and costs $20 for students, $25 for faculty and staff and $30 for the general public.
Prices will increase by $5 for those who decide to register in-person the morning of the event. Discount codes can also be obtained at the McCord-Herbst Veteran Center or from Brooke Freudenhammer, program coordinator of aquatics and special events. Freudenhammer can be reached by email at [email protected].
The 5K, hosted by UCCS in association with Team Red White and Blue and UCCS Army ROTC, is held in honor of Ed Burke, a former professor of exercise science who passed away in 2002.
“We provide ROTC with space to advertise their programs during the event,” says Freudenhammer. “We have discounted pricing for veteran participants apart of TRWB (Team Red White and Blue) as well as any ROTC members who would like to participate.”
Money raised from the event will go toward the Ed Burke Memorial Scholarship Endowment Fund, which provides merit-based scholarships to students.
The scholarship is available to students with junior standing or higher and for graduate students that have completed at least one semester of graduate studies studying exercise science who have maintained a GPA of at least 3.0.
The deadline for pre-registration for Bash the Bluffs is open until midnight on April 27, said Freudenhammer in an email. For those taking part in the event, early packet pick-up is also an option at the Rec Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 – 6 p.m. at the front desk on Friday, April 26. Participants can also pick up their packet the morning of the event on Court A in the Recreation and Wellness Center when they check in.
Each packet includes a Bash the Bluffs t-shirt, an ENT drawstring backpack, coupons for local restaurants, and recreation and wellness promotional items. Packets can be picked up on race day until 9 a.m. but participants are encouraged to pick up their packets beforehand at early packet pick-up. Participants can also register the day of the race with the cutoff time being 9 a.m. as well.
Weather permitting, the run will start on Alpine Field and will end in front of the Gallogly Recreation and Wellness Center.
“The unique course topography provides scenic views of the UCCS campus, the city of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, and the front range of the Rocky Mountains” said Freudenhammer. “This hilly course is mildly challenging for runners but is stroller and dog friendly for walkers.”
Sidewalk access is available throughout the entirety of the course, according to Freudenhammer. With the race being held on a Saturday, free parking is also available in the Alpine Garage.
Those who finish in the top 25 receive prizes, which are given out starting one hour after the 5K begins. Prizes for participants will also be given out to each age and gender group, with 16 prizes per category. The age groups range from 6-12 to 60 and over.
Because there aren’t many UCCS athletics events available for the public to participate in, Freudenhammer says that Bash the Bluffs is a great event for the public to not only see campus recreation facilities, but to see the entire campus through the Bash the Bluffs 5K route.
“We hope that this event continues to be a great opportunity for potential recruitment of future students to the UCCS campus, and for current and future students to see what campus recreation offers the UCCS students.”
For more information on Bash the Bluffs, contact Freudenhammer at [email protected] or follow UCCSRec on Facebook.