SUNY Fredonia students and members of the community are invited to lace up their running shoes — and their Halloween costumes.
The inaugural 5k run is slated for Saturday, Oct. 31, at 10 a.m. on the SUNY Fredonia campus.
Organized by Business Students for Success (BSFS) at SUNY Fredonia, the Halloween-themed 5k run and walk will bring together students, faculty, staff, families and community members for a morning of fitness, fun and support for student professional development.
All proceeds from the event will benefit Business Students for Success, supporting the organization’s annual student trips and scholarships for students in need. The trips provide Fredonia students with opportunities to extend their learning beyond the classroom by visiting financial, business and professional destinations across the country, while the scholarships help reduce financial barriers and provide additional support to students as they pursue their academic and professional goals.
“We wanted to create an event that would bring the campus and Fredonia community together while also helping our students pursue experiences that expand their education beyond the classroom,” said Dr. Mark Nickerson, faculty advisor for Business Students for Success. “Halloween gives us a great opportunity to make the event fun for runners, walkers, students and families while supporting professional opportunities for our students.”
The Trick or Trot will feature a 5K run/walk for participants ages 13 and older as well as a youth 5K option for children 12 and under. The race course will take participants through the SUNY Fredonia campus. The event will be held rain or shine.
Participants are encouraged to embrace the Halloween spirit and complete the race in costume, whether running, walking or cheering on friends and family from along the course.
Adding to the Halloween atmosphere, participants can look forward to trick or treat stations along the course, and every finisher will receive a medal. The first 100 registrants across the event will also receive a commemorative race t-shirt.
Early registration for the 5K is $30 through Sept. 30, before increasing to $35 from Oct. 1 through Oct. 15. Youth registration is $10, plus applicable RunSignup processing fees. Packet pickup will be available Friday, Oct. 30, from 4 to 6 p.m. and race morning from 8:30 to 9:45 a.m. at the SUNY Fredonia Williams Center.
Support for the inaugural event has also extended well beyond campus, with many local businesses and community leaders stepping forward to sponsor the race at various levels. Their support is helping make the event possible while directly contributing to student professional development and experiential learning opportunities.
Organizers hope the inaugural event will become a new Halloween tradition connecting SUNY Fredonia students with the greater Fredonia and Chautauqua County communities.
Registration and additional information are available through the official Trick or Trot 5K RunSignup page.
