The Homecoming Fun Run at Northwestern State University is a self-paced run accompanied by glow sticks, high-beam lights and NSU merch, taking place over two kilometers of campus terrain. This year’s Fun Run took place on Oct. 1 at 7:30 p.m.
Jasmine Barnaba, a junior nursing major, ran the Fun Run for the first time with her friends. Barnaba’s favorite part of the run was meeting new people. “I was with my group at one point but the best part was when I got out of my group and I just started meeting people out of nowhere, and then, in certain little spots, people were just cheering for you,” Barnaba said.
Barnaba said the end of the race was the most difficult part, so as she ran, she had to find a reason to continue. “There was a boy, and he was just running with people. He came beside me and he said, ‘Alright, let’s race…I’ll beat you to the finish line,’ and I said, ‘Let’ race,’” Barnaba said. “I didn’t think I wanted to finish, but close to the finish line, all I could hear was my group yelling ‘Go Jasmine!’ It felt good to complete it.”
During the race, participants were guided by lights directing their paths, with students and staff lined up to cheer the racers on.
Oliva Horrell, a senior hospitality management and tourism and elementary education major, participated in the run for the first time this year. “My friends and I have been working hard to get active and be involved on campus, so we thought it was a good opportunity to do both,” Horrell said.
Horrell said the Fun Run was everything she imagined it would be and left feeling accomplished and encouraged. “It was fun to see everyone running with glow sticks, and I liked the encouraging atmosphere of being around very supportive people and my friends. It was a good feeling to finally cross the finish line because everyone who finished was very excited and was cheering each other on,” Horrell said.
As racers crossed the finish line, they received points on the Suitable app, NSU merch and water bottles.
Torin Merchant, a sophomore communication major, is a frequent runner who has participated in the Fun Run for two years. “Having all these people come together to run proves that yeah, this is hard, but when you’re willing to stick it out and push each other, we can do anything as a college community,” Merchant said.
Merchant said that running with people who make you laugh and make you stronger makes the Fun Run experience worth it. “The highlight for me was right as we were running through the Alost Hall parking lot. We were super close to the finish line, and I saw somebody who had just given up, and she couldn’t make it anymore. I took her by the arm and said, ‘No, we’re doing this together. Come on, let’s go,’ and we crossed the finish line together, absolutely exhausted but proud,” Merchant said.
The Homecoming Fun Run continues to light up the campus every year with a night of friendly racing. Some students run, some walk and some do a little bit of both, but everyone heads toward the finish line as one student body.
