Healthy Gators 2010 celebrates activity routes with midnight fun run

April 23, 2007

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Healthy Gators 2010 will celebrate the completion of five campus activity routes with the Stomp Out Stress Midnight Fun Run on Thursday, April 26.

The activity routes, conveniently located around campus, are a great way to develop a more active lifestyle. The routes range from one to five miles in length and are designated with color-coded sidewalk signs. Students, faculty and staff can use the routes for running, jogging or walking.

“We are excited about the options our activity routes provide for the university community,” said Jill Varnes, vice chairwoman of Healthy Gators 2010 and professor in the department of health education and behavior. “The coalition has spent the past year focusing on stress management and using these routes for exercise is a great way to relieve stress.”

Participants can preregister for the Stomp Out Stress Midnight Fun Run for $5 from noon to 2 p.m. April 24 and 25 at the Reitz Student Union Colonnade. On-site registration is $10 and begins at 11 p.m. The run starts at midnight in front of the Florida Gym. After the run, participants can enjoy a free late-night “breakfast.”

“We know the end of the semester is a stressful time, so we wanted to provide a healthy stress buster,” said Cher Harris, chairwoman of the Healthy Gators 2010 Programming Work Group.

The best dressed Gator fan will be awarded a prize. The first 200 registrants receive T-shirts and all participants receive wristbands, stress balls and glow-in-the-dark bracelets.

Visit www.healthygators.hhp.ufl.edu for more information about this event and other programs and resources available to help students, staff and faculty to live a healthier lifestyle.