The Rec Center put together its annual Pump and Run event Saturday.
The first part of the event took place on the second floor of the Rec Center where participants of each age group bench-pressed.
About 50 people participated in the event. The participants consisted of kids, parents and students with all different body types.
When the bench-pressing portion of the event ended, the competitors had five minutes to prepare for the race portion starting on 23rd Street.
Eddy Neel came in first place in the racing portion.
Michele Muth, director of marketing and memberships at the Rec Center, said she noticed the fantastic energy at Pump and Run.
“Everybody has a great time, and everybody really supports each other,” Muth said. “Not a whole lot of competitiveness here, but there is a little bit.”
Muth also participated in the Pump and Run this year, and she said even though she is an avid runner, she still bench-pressed.
Graduate student Briana McElfish was new to Pump and Run this year.“The run was cold, lots of snot, but it was a fun run,” McElfish said. “I came in and signed up today, so I was the last one to bench. I got as many reps as I wanted which was five reps at 105 lbs. I feel like everyone was really supportive of one another, especially when we have to bench in front of one another one at a time.”
Pump and Run combined both cardio and upper body strength to provide the community with a good time while getting fit.
Mercedez Speight can be contacted at [email protected].