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MC’s Exercise is Medicine readies runners (and walkers) for Nov. 4 Pumpkin Run 5K

Oct. 17, 2023

Runners, students, families and people of all walks of life will come together for the annual Maryville College Exercise is Medicine On Campus Pumpkin Run 5K on Saturday, Nov. 4, with check-in at 9 a.m. Participants who register before Oct. 20 qualify for a shirt along with their tickets.

Registration is $30 for adults and $20 for youth ages 5-17. However, Maryville College students, staff, and faculty can register for only $10 with a special link by emailing Ramona Crawford, administrative assistant for the Division of Health Sciences and Outdoor Studies, at ramona.crawford@maryvillecollege.edu.

A percentage of profits from registration will support the Friends of the College Woods, which is responsible for trail maintenance in the Maryville College Woods, the 140-acre urban forest located on the MC campus. All donations made on top of registration fees go straight to the Friends of the Woods as well.

Individuals of any age or athletic ability are invited to join whichever track is best for them. After the race, prizes will be awarded at Crawford House to Fastest Overall Male, Fastest Overall Female and Fastest Kid.

The 5K course, which equates to roughly 3 miles, begins at Crawford House on the Maryville College campus, trails out to the House in the Woods, and then trails back. Along the route, runners and walkers will be treated to picturesque views of the Maryville College Woods and a portion of the MC Cross Country course.

On the other hand, the stroller-friendly walk does not travel directly through the Woods but still provides exercise, outdoor time and a view of the local flora and fauna. Participants will make two laps through the track to complete a full 2-mile walk, allowing access to their cars mid-way through if necessary. This track is ideal for families with small children or anyone who would prefer to take it slow, according to the registration website.

Restrooms and registration packet pick-up are available at check-in in the Cooper Athletic Center lobby at 9 a.m. on the day of the run. Participants then move on to Crawford House, a small walk from Cooper Athletic Center, where the race will start at 10 a.m.

After the race, families and students are invited to take part in assorted festivities, such as prizes for the fastest racers, Halloween crafts, water, snacks, music and corn hole, and the Maryville College Alpine Tower will be open and staffed for anyone interested in climbing.

All runners are encouraged to post their favorite photos on the Exercise is Medicine Facebook page or Instagram with the hashtag #MCScotsMove or email them to eim.oc@maryvillecollege.edu. 

The Exercise is Medicine registration website is available for all who wish to participate in this local outdoor experience. To register for the Pumpkin Run 5K, visit the website at https://runsignup.com/Race/TN/Maryville/PumpkinRun5kMaryvilleCollege.

Maryville College is a nationally-ranked institution of higher learning and one of America’s oldest colleges. For more than 200 years we’ve educated students to be giving citizens and gifted leaders, to study everything, so that they are prepared for anything — to address any problem, engage with any audience and launch successful careers right away. Located in Maryville, Tennessee, between the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the city of Knoxville, Maryville College offers nearly 1,200  students from around the world both the beauty of a rural setting and the advantages of an urban center, as well as more than 60 majors, seven pre-professional programs and career preparation from their first day on campus to their last. Today, our 10,000 alumni are living life strong of mind and brave of heart and are prepared, in the words of our Presbyterian founder, to “do good on the largest possible scale.”