The Cupid Course: PHC Running Club hosts the Valentine's Day 5k

PHC’s very own cupid frolicked around the Farris Wheel—that is, if one can classify zooming by in a custodial cart as frolicking. With his white angel wings and bright, charming smile, senior Isaac flew after the PHC runners, piercing them with his arrows of love—otherwise known as a nerf bow-and-arrow set. As nerf arrows occasionally bounced off the sides of runners, their love for the Valentine’s Day 5k overflowed.

On Saturday, Feb. 11, the PHC running club hosted an on-campus Valentine’s Day 5k. This run was open to the entire student body, faculty members, alumni, and families. It was the largest turnout that the PHC running club has seen with around 100 participants. Led by junior Marcia Washburn and freshman Mark Epstein, over fourteen student volunteers helped to host this run. The course consisted of three laps around the campus. The first lap started in front of Red Hill. Participants ran from the BHC towards the outside of campus behind the soccer fields. Then, they looped back towards Founders’ behind Lake Bob, and in front of the dorms. This lap was completed twice. On the third and final lap, runners stopped before the hill behind the soccer fields, turned back towards Founders’, and ended in front of the BHC.

The running course featured hot cocoa and orange juice stations, lovely snack tables, red and white balloons marking the track, and raffle prizes to finish off the Valentine's run. The Running Club had reached out to Potomac River Running, Trinity House Cafe, Trader Joe’s, My Deli and Cafe, Hamilton Mercantile, Giant Food, and Doppio Bunny. Each of these companies agreed to sponsor the run, donating gift cards, gift boxes, and coupons for raffle winners. Chick-fil-A also provided a huge discount on food for the runners.

Perhaps the Faunce family had won over the heart of the cupid because the family achieved all first-place victories. Freshman Nathaniel Faunce’s younger brother, John, won first place for men. Nathaniel Faunce won second for men. Faunce’s younger sister, Lydia, won first place for women. Freshman Alexa Ross won second for women. The winners received their medals from the Running Club. The overall run was free for any students who wanted to participate and $5 for those who were not students. An official number bib, time check, and placement cost an extra $5. All funds went towards the Running Club budget.

The Student Senate donated $1,500 towards the Valentine’s 5k, with the remaining funds going towards future 5k’s. “We used to have a 5k here every year, according to Dean Corbitt,” student senator Darius Franklin said. “But I think it was a great use of funds to bring the 5k back, and hopefully we can use it as a platform to be more involved in the community around us.” The Running Club intends to host an on-campus 5k each semester, hopefully themed with specific holidays. Further, the club plans on dividing into sections based on running experience.

If students with no running experience would like to make running a regular habit, the Running Club will have a group for short-distance runs available; experienced runners will have their own group for long-distance runs. Email runningclub@phc.edu for more information. “I felt like this is our running club doing something for our student body,” Washburn said. “I think people were very excited about being a part of [the Valentine’s Day 5k]. And so, it really came together.”

[image: PHC Running Club Volunteers]

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