Southern Utah University’s campus was buzzing early on a recent Saturday as runners, walkers and families with strollers lined up near the College of Health Sciences. What began several years ago as a simple fundraiser has grown into a spring tradition: the COHS 5K Fun Run, a community event that doubles as an outdoor tour of SUU.

This year’s edition featured a brand-new route that wound deeper through campus, giving participants a fresh look at familiar landmarks. The roughly three-mile course looped past classroom buildings, tree-lined walkways and open green spaces before returning to the finish line near the health sciences facilities. Volunteers in bright shirts stood at corners to cheer on runners and point them in the right direction.

The fun run is intentionally welcoming to all ages and fitness levels. Some participants push for a personal record, while others jog alongside friends or walk the route at a comfortable pace. Local residents from Cedar City join SUU students and staff, making the event feel less like a race and more like a neighborhood gathering centered on movement and wellness.

For many runners, the event has also become part of their personal health journeys. New parents looking to regain strength after welcoming a baby, alumni returning to campus for the weekend and first-time 5K participants all share the same course. Along the way, music from Thunder 91 and encouragement from volunteers help keep energy high, especially on the final stretch.

Entry fees for the 5K, typically between $15 and $25, go directly to supporting students in the College of Health Sciences. Funds raised help provide scholarships, enhance hands-on learning opportunities and back student-led projects that promote wellness in the community. Every registration not only secures a race bib, but also invests in the next generation of healthcare and wellness professionals training right here in Cedar City.

Organizers say the best part of planning the event is watching people connect. Strangers fall into step and strike up conversations, families cheer for one another at the finish line and students see professors outside the classroom, running beside them rather than standing at the front of a lecture hall. Those small interactions build a sense of belonging that lingers long after the course signs come down.

With another successful 5K in the books, the College of Health Sciences is already looking forward to next year’s run and future route ideas. For locals and students alike, it has become a simple, upbeat way to celebrate Cedar City’s active lifestyle while supporting a college that plays a vital role in the region’s health and wellness.