On Oct. 22, the University of Denver held its 13th annual Crimson Classic 5k run & 1.5-mile walk. Put on by the Human Resources & Inclusive Community, the goal of the event is to celebrate wellness and aims to bring the DU community together. With clear blue skies, a large turnout and supportive atmosphere, the 2025 Crimson Classic did exactly that.

The Crimson Classic is a free event, open to all DU students, staff, faculty, alums and community members. It is open to all ages and experience levels; participants ranged from senior retirees to babies in strollers. 

“It is truly a community event,” said Andrea Groth, Manager of Employee Engagement & Wellbeing at DU Human Resources. 

Groth noted that out of the usual 1,000-or-so participants, there is typically an even mix of ages and community positions. Better yet, a record number of participants were expected this year.

Groth was one of the staff members helping run the event. Working alongside her were Ruth Brown, Wellbeing Specialist and Cassy Zapotocky, Manager of HR Operations. All three of them agreed that the Crimson Classic is an important part of the DU experience. According to Brown, it is a tradition that they hope to continue for years to come.

The course began and ended at Carnegie Green Lawn, where tents and tables offered refreshments, swag, games and information about the various wellness resources offered at DU. 

One of the organizations that was present was Thrive Health Promotion, whose table had snacks and an educational spin-the-wheel game. Those who played could learn about healthy exercise, eating and sleeping habits. They also offered information on DU Wellness Coaching alongside other resources offered by the organization. 

“The Thrive Center promotes health and wellness through different programs on campus… which includes educating students on healthy relationships, sexual health, and mental health,” said Mahlet Cheney, a Thrive Peer Educator. 

Thrive’s mission aligns closely with that of the Crimson Classic and the participation of organizations like Thrive is an integral part of the event’s overall experience.

Aside from checking out all the tables and tents, runners and walkers began to warm up as upbeat music played, their excitement growing as the start of the race drew near. 

Boomer Gafford, a first-year, was a distance runner in high school. He said that he was excited to take part in this DU tradition with his friends while doing the sport that’s been such an important part of his life. 

“I would definitely continue to run this in the coming years,” Gafford said.

Running the 5k with Gafford was another first-year, Ava Lee. She is involved in many campus activities, such as Club Volleyball and Alpine Club. Lee heard about the race through fellow Alpine Club members and decided to sign up, bringing her friends along with her.

“I chose to participate because while I don’t love running, I do love competing and being a part of big events like this,” said Lee.

Lee’s remark highlights the fact that the Crimson Classic has something for everyone. Whether one wants to race others, set a personal record, take a relaxing walk with friends or simply feel connected to the larger community, this event is designed for all forms of participation.

Some runners even chose to push their boundaries and try something new. A group of first-year students said that they had all run a 5k at least once before — except for one of them, who was attempting it for the very first time. This moment reflected the Crimson Classic’s supportive and inclusive culture, which welcomes participants of all ages and experience levels.

“I really like how many adults are here…there’s such a variety of ages,” said first-year Kaelynn DeMello. 

All of them agreed they were feeling excited due to the music, the amount of people present and the bustling atmosphere.

Like these freshmen, many participants were brand new to the Crimson Classic experience. But for others, it has been a personal or family tradition for years. 

For Sarabeth Wolbrom, the Associate Director of Career & Professional Development, this was her ninth consecutive Crimson Classic.

“It’s a constant in my life. It’s nice to know that no matter what’s going on…through changes like marriage and kids…every fall I get to hang out here and wear a tutu,” Wolbrom said.

Getting ready for the race with Wolbrom was Career Advisor Isabel Salvatore. In contrast to Wolbrom’s nine years, this was Salvatore’s very first Crimson Classic. Her position as a staff member as opposed to a student gave her a slightly different perspective of the event. 

“There’s so much uncertainty in the world right now… it’s nice to just get together and see colleagues,” Salvatore explained. 

Both their responses highlighted the importance of having traditions like this that remain a constant in the community, no matter what else is happening in the world or in people’s lives.

Salvatore also noted that the 5k is a time for fellow staff and faculty members to connect outside of academia. 

“We all just work in our separate departments, and things like this bring us all together,” Salvatore said. 

The Crimson Classic brings together different parts of the community that might not otherwise have had such a clear opportunity to connect.

Alums and students, staff and retirees alike took off when the air horn blew, setting aside differences in age, skill and identity. Crossing the finish line,whether they ran or walked, was a unifying experience. Every participant accomplished something meaningful, both individually and as part of the larger whole. 

For the past 13 years, the Crimson Classic has successfully brought multiple generations of the DU community together in the name of health and wellness. Those who continue to put on this event every year have, without a doubt, gone the extra 3.1 miles.