Ready! Set! Go! ULM’s homecoming week is a week filled with all types of festivities, one tradition that drew the largest crowd was the University Mile.

The 33rd Annual University Mile, hosted by ULM’s Recreational Services, was held Wednesday at 5:30pm this year.

This year’s mile started in front of Hemphill Hall on Northeast Drive and finished in front of the Activity Center on campus.

Registration for the event was $15 for ULM students and $20 for everyone else.

Adidas long-Sleeve clima-lite tee were given to all the participants to wear.

Awards were given in the form of plaques for the top participants among men and women.

Kaitlyn Thornhill, a freshman occupational therapy major, gave the University Mile a go simply because she likes being involved on campus.

“I love to participate in events at ULM. I didn’t prepare for it (University Mile), I actually arrived late,” she said.

Thornhill joked about coming in last because she arrived late.

“No matter what you should always participate in things because those are memories you are making!” Thornhill enjoyed the Mile and encourages other students to try it.

The University Mile originally was called the “Louisville Mile.” Back in the race’s early days the race was held on Louisville Avenue on Saturday the day, of Homecoming.

It was eventually changed to the University Mile and, throughout the years, has seen several different routes.

The modern University Mile is now scheduled on Wednesday to make room for the growing number of activities on Saturday.

It’s also stated that it makes coordinating the event easier and a 5:30 p.m. start time is added so many of the participants both students and non-students have adequate time to reach the starting line.

This year’s University Mile was greeted with nice weather.

Participation at the event is said to be increasing year from year although exact numbers aren’t released.

Participants like Christina Truong, a freshman pre-pharmacy major, took the Mile seriously.

“I would time myself when I ran on the track in the activity center to beat my usual time,” Truong said.

The color run helped her prepare for this event, and she had a good time even after she collided with a little girl.

“The shirts are super cute and you might get your picture landed on the school’s Facebook page like mine did.” If nothing else can convince students to join in on the fun, Truong believes the shirts can.

ULM President Dr. Nick Bruno accompanied by his wife, kicked off the race.

At the sound of Bruno’s gun going off, the racers jolted from the starting line.

After the initial batch of runners got a good advantage, another group of people started the race.

The University Mile is open to all contestants and isn’t necessarily a race more than it is a fundraiser.

Participants weren’t required to run.

A large group waits for the runners to speed away before they begin their commute.

Walking, jogging and sprinting are all accepted.

One thing most people will tell you, though, is “running isn’t easy!”