Rec Center hosting 11th annual “Bash the Bluffs” 5K

On April 14, the Recreation Center will be at it again when it puts on its annual “Bash the Bluffs” 5K run/walk. The event will begin at 9 a.m. and go until 11 a.m.

The race layout will stretch along the UCCS campus, giving participants a chance to explore the infrastructure of campus.

Matt Gaden, director of the UCCS Recreation Center, said the unique race location and layout is one of the reasons why they put on the event.

“You could pick any reason, but a big one is that ‘Bash the Bluffs’ is sometimes the only time during the year Colorado Springs residents get up to UCCS,” said Gaden. “There are always comments on how much the school has changed and participants in the race like to see what has gone on up here.”

Another reason why people come to the race – and Gaden believes this is the main motive of the majority of participants – is to be outside and get exercise.

“‘Bash the Bluffs’ gives Colorado Springs residents an opportunity to just get out and get some exercise,” said Gaden. “This is an area where exercise is important to people and ‘Bash the Bluffs’ gives them that chance,” he went on to say.

“Bash the Bluffs,” now entering its 11th year, is not just an event that provides fitness and recreation, but is now also a memorial event.

“We originally started this event to make it an example of what we offer to our campus and community,” Gaden explained. “Now the event is a memorial event for former professor Ed Burke, who was a big supporter of the Rec Center and regular user of the facility.”

Gaden and his staff have been having the event in honor of Burke since he passed away from a heart condition while he was bike riding in 2002.

Another thing that makes “Bash the Bluffs” unique is that it is the only race the Rec Center hosts all year. Since the Colorado Springs race schedule is pretty much set in stone every year, there isn’t really an opportunity for Gaden and staff to put out another event.

“We want to have a more adventurous race one day, but as of right now, there really isn’t a time over the next couple months in the race schedule for that,” he said.

Around 200 people from the Colorado Springs community come each year, and they range from participants who are part of the local race scene, to families just coming out to get some exercise.

The registration fee for students, staff and faculty is $15, and for the general public it is $23. Gaden said the fee will include a T-shirt, food and a chance at some door prizes.

“We will also have certificates for the top three finishers of the race and for the top three of each age group,” he said. “We have had kids from under age 10 to people in their 80s, so a lot of different people come out to the event and that is really cool to see.”