The “Lucky Lion Race” was planned and hosted by UNA’s Student Government Association. The 5k race featured a course that took participants through campus and toward Wildwood Park, and it included multiple color powder stations that participants could run through.
Previously, the race was organized to be held on the Saturday before Saint Patrick’s Day, but it was rescheduled to April 19 due to severe weather. Nevertheless, the “Lucky Lion” theme stuck throughout the day.
SGA’s philanthropy for the 2024-25 year focused on raising awareness for Student Counseling Services on campus. Participants paid a $35 fee, and all proceeds went to a fund specifically for the counseling services.
Matt Hanback, SGA Senator of the Budget Oversight committee, took point on organizing the 5k. He wanted to ensure that SGA “kept the philanthropy in mind” throughout the whole process.
“It’s more than a race, it’s more than a 5k, and it’s more than a color run,” said Hanback. “For me, I think about the person who may be struggling with some mental health issue on campus that may be unknown to somebody, but they’re able to walk into student counseling services and receive help with no additional cost. That’s the heart of it.”
A total of 75 people registered to participate in the 5k, and all running levels were welcome to join: racers, joggers and walkers.
Tables surrounded the fountain, which was the starting place of the race, welcoming participants to check in and fuel up.
One table held a variety of snacks, including bananas, breakfast bars, liquid IV and water. At the check in table, participants received a running bag that held a Lucky Lion t-shirt and a $5 coupon to Taco Mama.
SGA ensured each runner was adequately prepared both before the race and during the race. There were water stations located at each mile, handed out by members of SGA and SGA volunteers.
UNA police blocked traffic for runners, led the pack and brought up the rear to ensure maximum safety on the roads.
All runners finished in under an hour and could enjoy refreshments from Tom’s Coffee Truck and Campbell’s Kitchen while waiting for awards.
Once all runners crossed the finish line, there were a total of 15 awards given out across four divisions: Overall, Male, Female, Co-Ed and RSO winners.
Winners of the Overall, Male, Female and Co-ed divisions received a medal for their accomplishment, and the winners for their respective student organizations received a plaque.
Ismael Pruitt finished first and collected the first overall award. Twelve-year-old Mason Ellis followed close behind for second overall. Connor Reed came in third overall.
Ellis has a true passion for running. He is in the Seventh Grade and recently made the Varsity Cross Country team for his local school. Ellis said that he has wanted to join a running team since he was four years old.
Molly Abernathy won first place in the female division, followed by Hailey Hardin in second and Chloe Lee Jones in third.
Jones is a senior earning her bachelor’s degree in psychology, and she is also entering the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Master’s Program for the university. Her goal is to become a licensed marriage and family therapist.”
“I wanted to participate in the 5k to support the philanthropy that the money was going to benefit,” said Jones. “All the proceeds from the 5k went to help Student Counseling Services, which is something I am personally very passionate about. I was honored and proud of my body for doing what it did.”
Ismael Pruitt earned first in the Co-Ed Division. Connor Reed earned second place, followed by Colin Brooks in third.
Pi Kappa Alpha received a plaque for being the Male RSO winner. Phi Mu earned a plaque for being the Female RSO winner. Quad City College secured the plaque for being the Co-Ed RSO winner.
Additionally, there were three “Lucky Lions” who received an envelope of gift certificates and coupons to various establishments in the Florence area.
Members of SGA hope to bring back the 5k race year after year as a way to celebrate the end of the semester.
“It was such a great tradition that we used to have,” said SGA President Kerigan Mardis. “We were like, ‘This is a great event that can be philanthropic for anything.’ So, we want to have it cemented as an annual thing that we do, sort of like the Lucky Dip we do at the beginning of the year.”
