Deep Hollow Race: Students run in half marathon and 5K

Runners gathered around a busy starting line to begin the Deep Hollow Half Marathon & 5K on Saturday, Oct. 21. This was the first and largest race marking the 17th anniversary of the five-race Liberty Mountain Trail Series. Hosted by Campus Recreation, the event consisted of two separate races: the half marathon and the 5K.

“Being a part of the running community is an awesome benefit of this event,” Katy Clay, director of Outdoor Recreation, said.  “You are surrounded by people of all kinds who have the same interest as you, and that is an experience that you cannot find in many places.”

Clay expressed the uniqueness of the Deep Hollow series by describing what runners encountered throughout the trail. Clay noted that the 5K race demonstrated elevation in the front half of the trail, but that the second half stretched downhill and created an easier, smoother finish for the runners.

The department of Outdoor Recreation partnered up with one of its sponsors, Riverside Runners, to keep track of the timing and results for participants. One of the important aspects of these races is the safety of the participants.

Outdoor Recreation utilized the Liberty Campus Recreation Instagram page to post updates and messages of the event. On the day of the race, runners received a pre-race brief with all the information needed.

 “We brief all of the runners on what to look for and what to avoid on the course. We mark the trails heavily with flagging tape, caution tape and mile markers,” Clay said. “We also have aid stations all around the course to provide water and Gatorade to the runners. These aid stations also have first aid if needed. We also have an athletic trainer on-site for any injuries that may occur.”  

At the completion of the race, Outdoor Recreation held an awards ceremony to celebrate the top finishers. Domino’s also sponsored the race, providing runners and spectators with pizza and drinks that Clay said students loved in past races.

Outdoor Recreation also worked with several local organizations in its sponsorship program, which includes Rehab Associates, Riverside Runners, Outdoor Trails, Domino’s, Glory Coffee Co. and Air Force ROTC Detachment 890. 

“Trail running serves as a great form of exercise because it gets you outside and moving,” Clay said. “Even if a half marathon is not your speed, a 5K is a great place to start a trail-running journey.”

For more information on Campus Rec events, visit this website.

Millan is a news reporter for the Liberty Champion