ULM hosted the 27th annual University Mile race Wednesday, a onemile homecoming tradition.

The race was originally called “Louisville Mile” because it was run along Louisville Avenue on Homecoming Saturday.

The Louisville Mile started near what is now Ouachita Wide Bank and ended in front of Wal-Mart.

Difficulties with coordinating the race on homecoming day proved to be too much, and the race was moved to Wednesday prior to homecoming.

“During this same time it was also moved onto campus to its present location and given the name the University Mile”, said Mackie Ashton, director of the University Mile and coordinator of intramurals.

This year’s race started near Airway at 5:30 p.m. and ended in front of the Activity Center, where plaques were given out for several categories.

Registration fee included five dollars for students and faculty and $10 for all other racers. The race fee went toward intramural funding where it is used to purchase equipment and to travel with student intramural teams.

This year first-place finisher went to Morgan Smith. This is Smith’s first time running the event, but he has been running for eight years.

“It feels good to win,” Smith said. “A lot of guys out here run together competitively and are former track athletes so it feels good to be able to compete.”

Smith is a former track and field athlete from Louisiana Tech. A native of Corpus Christi, Texas, Smith currently coaches track and field at Ouachita Junior High School. He plans to participate in next year’s University Mile to see if he can defend his title.