BYU students and BYUSA leadership spread awareness about The Honor Run, which shows students' commitment to living the BYU Honor Code. Back row: Eric Fortney, Emma Penrod, Tabitha Kirk, Steven Gilbert, Cinthya Garibay, Kekoa Wu. Front row: Sue Murie, Mackenzie McCoy. (Jason Peacock)
BYU students will run to celebrate committing to the code — the Honor Code, that is.
The Honor Run, in it's second year, started because BYUSA activities committee member Kekoa Wu decided to plan a race to celebrate BYU's Honor Code.
Wu said he wanted to start this race after his friend invited him to get involved with BYUSA. After touring the BYUSA office, Wu's friend told him one of their program ideas had fallen through and asked Wu for new program ideas. Wu and his friend came up with a few ideas, including a 5K.
'I wanted to do something different than the other programs, and a lot of students at BYU love to run,' Wu said. 'I liked the idea of the Honor Run because it requires more commitment to participate, but it also brings a sense of accomplishment and achievement, just like living an honorable life.'
BYU students agree to abide by the Honor Code and its rules when they choose to attend the school.
Wu started the race so students could commit to living the Honor Code and to help them remember why they choose to sign the Honor Code.
BYU running club member Jared Croft said he enjoys running the race with his parents, who are BYU alumni, and his younger brother who attends BYU.
'Both running and BYU are a part of our family's culture, and the Honor Run gave us the chance to compete and have fun together,' Croft said.
Honor Run assistant program director, Mitchell Kimball, said it's important for every student to remember they made a promise to commit to the Honor Code when they enrolled at BYU.
'The 5K Honor Run was formed to help students remember why they chose to live by these standards,' Kimball said. 'Our goal is to have students run 3.1 miles to demonstrate commitment to their university and its Honor Code.'
Avid runner and English major Karyn Layne said she loves the feeling that comes with racing for a cause.
'BYU puts on multiple races that not only feed this competitive spirit, but aid a foundation or individual,' said Layne. 'I've participated in a refugee race to raise awareness but whether the reason is for a good cause or just for fun — the races are always worth it.'
BYUSA student honor committee executive director Mackenzie McCoy said she hopes to continue this tradition at BYU to help students recommit to living the Honor Code.
'Along the course, we put up signs that include phrases from the Honor Code and motivational honor quotes that encourage us to keep going along the run but also in continuing to live the Honor Code,' McCoy said.
McCoy said the participants sign their name on a poster at the end of the race as a way of physically recommitting to live and celebrate the Honor Code.
The race starts on March 25 at 9 a.m. in the Richards Building Quad. Prizes will be handed out for first, second and third place winners. Registration for the race and more details can be found on the Honor Run website.