By Vinu Ilakkuvan Cavalier Daily Associate Editor The shrill ring of an alarm at 7:45 a.m. Monday morning resonates through the room. The average person might drowsily reach out to hit the snooze button and catch a bit more sleep. But there is a group of students at the University that gets up early on a Monday morning -- not for class or to cram for an exam, but to do something entirely optional -- running.
The Cavalier Road Runners meets about five times a week to go running around Grounds and Charlottesville.
"On weekends, we'll sometimes drive out to parks nearby or trails that are a little further out, and we'll explore the area." said Boriana Bakaltcheva, Road Runners president and fourth-year College student.
The group also takes part in various road races and attempts to reimburse members for the cost of the races in which they participate. Most of the races are not team competitions.
"But we do, once a year, try to get together with William & Mary and have a cross-country meet between us," Bakaltcheva said.
Road Runners also organizes social events for members to get to know each other outside of the runs.
"We'll have pasta parties before the race," Bakaltcheva said. "And we went hiking behind Humpback Rock" a few days ago.
Yet there is no mandatory attendance policy for any of these Road Runners events.
"We're a very laidback running club," Bakaltcheva said. "It's really been great this semester. We've had a lot of regular attendance. People are becoming friends, getting to know each other -- that's what really makes it worthwhile, and I'm really proud of that."
Such regular attendance is a result of what participants get out of running -- and according to them, it is much more than just exercise.
"When I transferred high schools is when I started running," second-year College student Jennifer Cano said. "Running was this constant. When things aren't going well, it kind of holds things together. When I first came to U.Va., it was definitely a really good way for me to meet people and figure out the area. When you're here and you're not sure you belong -- I know I belong here because I run."
Another aspect of Road Runners that many members enjoy is the opportunity to run with a group.
"Everyone comes from very similar backgrounds," Bakaltcheva said. "We all just love to run. It's so natural to get to know people while you're talking to them on a run. It sounds kind of weird, but runners understand. You know someone's going to be out there at eight o' clock in the morning on a Monday. That's what gets you out of bed."
Bakaltcheva said she joined Road Runners her first year because she really missed having a team from high school to run with, and she said she thought this was the reason many people, especially first years, join the organization.
"I love running with other people," Cano said. "I run so much alone, and I just forget about that. When I run with the club, I remember how much I like to run. Other people -- they push me more, I go faster, and it's exhilarating. My favorite thing is getting that rush. It's an irreplaceable feeling."
Read More
Holding onto every grain in the hourglass
By Mai Hukuoka | 14 hours agoNow that I’m back at school, I have made it my mission to take note of the sneaky passage of time.
Students brave the cold for a whirlwind sorority rush
By Mia Tan | 2 days agoStudents recount a mix of emotions from rush, with some disappointed after dropping from the recruitment process and others ecstatic to join Greek life.
Top 10 ways to avoid burnout this semester
By Sam Saks | 3 days agoAs you settle into this semester, try implementing these 10 tactics to take care of yourself and wave goodbye to burnout.
