Halloween spirit was in full swing as costume-clad runners, seemingly immune to the damp, cold weather, lined up at noon Wednesday to compete in the 2.3-mile race around the Syracuse University campus.

In collaboration with the Lerner Center for Public Health Promotion’s Healthy Monday, the Department of Recreational Services held its second annual Halloween Fun Run/Walk, beginning on the Quad. The run/walk is designed to promote a healthy, fun and safe Halloween activity for Syracuse students, said Joseph Lore, director of recreation services.

But it wasn’t just a race this year. The event included a tent for pumpkin painting, a blow-up obstacle course for students to tackle in between classes and a truck in the shape of an L.L. Bean boot giving away items as promotions and providing chances to win various items.

This year, the characters competing included a very energetic Luigi and Mario, students in sheets with holes posing as ghosts and a blind man complete with sunglasses and a cane.

The student dressed as the blind man ran the entire race in character, yelling for others to get out of his way while waving his cane to clear a path.

Decked out in dog tags, camouflage and face paint was competitor Megan Reynolds, a sophomore biology major on the pre-med track, who was excited to run, but disappointed in the turnout of the competition.

“I love events like this,” she said. “It’s such a fun way to get students involved in their school. I just wish this was advertised more. I only found out today because I saw a flier somewhere in the Schine Center.”

Reynolds said she even wants to help promote the event next year by involving friends and spreading the word to make it an even bigger success and keep the tradition alive.

Lore, the director of recreation services, said the small turnout resulted from Superstorm Sandy, whose clouds and damp weather still loomed over Syracuse.

“Last year we had about 30 or so students,” he said. “This year just about 15 signed up. The characters last year were hilarious. We had a fully dressed bride, even a group that dressed up as dominos.”

Lore said students throughout the course of the day, however, embraced the newly added activities.

“Students have been bouncing on that blow up since it was put up,” he said, pointing at the obstacle course in front of Hendricks Chapel.

He said the pumpkin painting station was also popular.

“We’ve had a lot of positive feedback and students have had a really nice break from classes for some good, classic Halloween fun,” Lore said.

He also said he hopes to change the time of the event next year to attract students who would have run but could not due to conflicting class schedules.

Next year might include a nighttime run, possibly lit by carved pumpkins to give the run a classic Halloween feel, Lore said.

Said Lore: “The event is a lot of fun and, with more advertising next year, I can see the Halloween Fun Run/Walk becoming a hugely popular activity.”

Published on October 31, 2012 at 10:44 pm

Contact Erin: erkelly@syr.edu