A thin veil of mist permeated campus on Saturday morning. Sunlight seeped between the red leaves of fall trees and reflected off of the rain-slicked pavement, brightening the scenery over the 9 a.m. chill.

Homecoming 5k staffer Danielle Tepper, a Grand Valley State University student and cross country runner, stood near the Kleiner Commons as runners passed by, their puffs of breath visible in the air like cigarette smoke.

“You’re doing great! Lookin’ good!” she cheered, making sure they ran in the right direction.

The eighth-annual Laker Homecoming 5k drew 290 registered runners along with a smattering of children. All ages were accounted for, from elders trekking steadily along to babies being pushed in their strollers. The course began just outside the Fieldhouse Arena and roughly outlined the perimeter of the campus, ending under an inflatable
Louie the Laker in the Kelly Family Sports Center.

“The Laker Homecoming 5k is a fundraising tool for the GVSU Track and Field program,”
said Nick Polk, assistant coach of the men’s cross country team. “The funds that we make from the road race help allow our program to travel athletes to competitive track meets around the country.”

Polk said the cross country team has joined forces with the alumni relations department in recent years in hopes of bringing
more GVSU alumni back to participate.

In true Halloween spirit, some of the runners even trekked along in costumes, including Bugs Bunny in “Space Jam” attire, ladybugs and a family of Supermans. Erik Peterson ran as “Robot Pete,” a costume composed of a cardboard box helmet with compact disc eyes and a rectangular black cloth mouth.

“It was a lot of fun,” Peterson said as he received a free massage on the chiropractor’s table in the Sports Center, still donning the box. “Kind of cold, but everything was very well organized. I could hardly see but I didn’t get lost.”

He went on to win best male costume in a new addition to the event this year, judged by cross country head coach Jerry Baltes.

“It’s good to see everyone so active with their families,” said Monica Kinney, a GVSU junior and cross country runner. “And the price to participate is very reasonable, between $10 to $20. It definitely helps us track-and-fielders.”

The six winners each won $50 gift cards to various stores and a fresh pair of socks. Other participants could help themselves
to free T-shirts and massages, as well as a $5 all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast.

“We currently have the largest number of race registrations that we have ever had for the race, so we are very excited that the event continues to grow,” Polk said.

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