Dating back to the 1960s, the Great Race of Utah Technological University (UT) Campus Recreation has captivated and captivated students. This year's event, held earlier this spring, was no exception, as the race has become fully ingrained on campus and one of the school's best traditions.
The Great Race is a Utah Tech tradition that began as a bicycle race around the farm roads in and around St. George, Utah. In the early 1970s, it became his 10-a-side relay, which included activities such as running, motorcross, horseback riding, cycling, and sailing down the Virgin River. In 2000, the event returned to campus in a modified version that included many of the original events.
“The Great Race is one of the oldest traditions here and allows students to participate in a fun and competitive event with members of the campus and greater Southern Utah community,” said Director of Campus Recreation. David Howell said. “This allows our students to compete and represent their respective clubs, athletic teams, colleges, and residence halls on campus. This race gives us the opportunity to participate in events that we would not normally be able to participate in. .”
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Competing teams face off in a relay race around campus. Current events feature a half-mile run, dizzying bat spins, biking, cornhole toss, scooter racing, swimming obstacle course, UT history trivia, and slip-and-slides. , mud pit crawls, and sprints to the finish line of obstacle courses.
Each year, first, second, and third place teams receive medals, prizes, and other fun rewards. This spring, Howell said he gave prizes to the best dressed and most energetic teams.
“Participants love the fact that even if they don't win, they can still participate in the race and receive a prize,” Howell said. “We also offer mystery prizes that are not announced until after the race at the awards ceremony during the D-Week (Spirit Week, which is like Homecoming) carnival. This year we gave an award to the team that finished in the middle of the pack. But in past years, we've given awards to the lowest-placed teams. This changes every year and is a fun way to keep participants engaged and entertained, regardless of the outcome of the race.”
This spring's race consisted of 26 teams from a variety of clubs, departments, colleges, alumni, student organizations, and community groups on and off campus.
“Students on each team are excited about the opportunity to participate and compete, but more importantly, to interact with other participants and participate in a fun atmosphere,” Howell said. “We have a wide range of competitors every year. Some come to win, and some come to participate and be part of the tradition.”
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Howell said the Great Race is one of UT's longest traditions, and the event allows his department to engage with the larger campus community and participate in the week-long D Week celebration on campus. Told.
“The experience we receive and the experience our staff develops through organizing, planning, and managing the race is invaluable and will help campus recreation truly become part of UT's “Active Learning, Active Life'' motto. ,” Howell said. “Even those who don’t participate in the race love to come out to cheer on their friends and fellow students. I especially love watching.
Howell said the actual racing is just one of the things that makes the event such a success each year. It is important to develop other aspects of racing so that individuals, regardless of experience level, can become part of the full tradition.
“The success of an event depends on successful planning and execution, but more importantly, the faculty’s desire to create an event that will captivate students and create lasting memories,” Howell said. . “We hold annual debriefings with staff and participants to understand what went well and what could be improved so we can continue to host events that our students can enjoy. Most competitors will not remember who won the race, but instead will remember the experience, the atmosphere created from participating with so many other students and alumni groups, and the tradition itself. I guess.”
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