Runners and Walkers Hit the Pavement for First GUWellness 5K

Runners and walkers sign up for Georgetown's first GUWellness 5K Run and Walk just before hitting the pavement for the Oct. 20 race.

More than 30 faculty and staff members and students prepare to participate in the race as faculty and staff benefits employees hand out numbers to runners.

At left, Charles DeSantis, associate vice president of faculty and staff benefits, rallies the runners just before the race, co-sponsored by the Running Company.

Runners and walkers take off at the Wellness 5K race.

A race marker directs participants as they loop around campus grounds twice, finally returning to the starting point at Yates Field House.

Julian Mendoza (C'09), an administrative assistant in the business school, takes a breath after crossing the finish line in 18:22 minutes. He says the Georgetown 5K is one of ways he's preparing to run the Boston Marathon in the spring.

A table of refreshments and medals awaits runners as they file in from the course.

Each registrant receives a medal for participating in the 5K, which is a precursor to the American Heart Association's Greater Washington Heart Walk on Nov. 5.