Stampede on Speedway: The 2023 Longhorn Run

the slipstreamlocal
Written By Makenzie Long

Runners watch Beauties and the Beat, a student a cappella group perform near Darrell K. Royal Memorial Stadium, April 1, 2023.

The annual Longhorn Run took place Sat., April 1 — around 4,700 runners participated.

The race, consisting of a 5k and 10k, became a University tradition after its creation in 2010. Runners paid between $30-45 to join and all proceeds went to UT Student Government and Recreational Sports Excellence Funds, according to the event website. 

The University’s a cappella group, Beauties and the Beat, performed before the races started, followed by the Longhorn Singers. The campus cheer squad also stood on the sidelines, hyping up the runners for the long race ahead. 

The event began at 8:00 a.m., starting with the wheelchair racers. A couple of minutes later, the 10K runners were off. Around 8:15 a.m., the 5K runners joined, each taking their own pace. 

“I was going in head-strong thinking I could actually run at a very good pace,” Ethan Morales, mechanical engineering sophomore and UT RecSports employee, said. “At first, it was like I was going to pass out; I managed to take it slow and now I feel good.” 

The route ran through the Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium to Dean Keaton St. for the 5K runners, but the 10K runners ran all the way to 44th St. before turning around.”

“I didn't train for this race at all,” Morales said. “But I still managed to pull off a decent eight-to-nine-minute pace.”

Spiderman spotted starting the race carrying a Domino’s pizza.

Throughout the week, the Texas Running Club hosted multiple training sessions for participants before the event including strength/speed training, yoga in front of the UT Tower and a group run. 

“This whole week, I prepared,” public health junior Jazalynn Johnson said. “I did it with my friends, so it was really fun and they motivated me the whole way through.”

Student organizations could sign up to run together as well. The Longhorn Hellraisers, a spirit group founded in 1988 to support University athletic teams, arrived at around 7 a.m. Saturday. After putting on face paint and lining up, five members in t-shirts spelling out ‘TEXAS’ raced in a horizontal line the whole way.

“I think we have a lot of endorphins going right now, so I feel pretty good,” Sarah Villaronga, social work sophomore and Lonhorn Hellraiser member, said. “I know some of us might be hurting a little later and our legs definitely will, but other than that, pretty good.”

Spectators stood by on Speedway St., cheering the runners on through the finish. After the race, students celebrated by walking through the South Mall and by the Tower for an afterparty hosted by the UT Longhorn Run group. This included a DJ, an appearance by University mascot Hook ‘Em and healthy snacks for the runners.

“After I finished the race, hearing the music, I was like, ‘Bless up,’ we did it,” Johnson said. “It was a good vibe. I liked it.”  

The afterparty celebration at the UT tower.

Morales said participants do not have to be professional runners to join and the event is more about having a good time. 

“Fun runs are a way for people who don't run as well or haven't even ran at all to try it,” Morales said. “5k or 10k, you're about to push yourself by running something that not many people do. You're kind of very special in a way.”

Photos by Makenzie Long
Makenzie Long
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