Prizes, a fedora hat and Walk ‘N Roll warm-up break the tape

Koreen Ward, junior speech pathology and audiology major, participated in the Bowman Cup her freshman year on campus.

And then she threw up.

“I got there at 7:30 a.m. in the morning and they had a huge display of a continental breakfast and I had a bagel and banana,” Ward said. “That was not the best idea. I ran the race and then threw up.”

Ward laughed about the experience and said she didn’t mind the race and enjoyed the course.

She’s preparing to run in the ninth annual Bowman Cup race, named after the university’s fifth president George Bowman.

Just before the race is the Walk ‘n Roll, the Student Accessibility Service’s one-mile warm-up.

“The race is aimed at accommodating people of all abilities,” said Sue Smith, editorial specialist for SAS. “The one-mile is part of our month-long celebration of Disability Awareness Month.”

Ward said she wasn’t aware of the Walk ‘n Roll being a part of the Bowman Cup, but in years past it has been held after the 5k race instead of before. The Student Recreation and Wellness Center started working with SAS last year to help raise awareness for the event and for the Special Olympics.

“I went to the (rec’s) Web site and learned that it was part of SAS, and it just furthered my reasons for doing the race,” Ward said.

“We moved the Walk ‘n Roll before the Bowman Cup because it’s a good warm-up. There are a lot of Special Olympics athletes and it’s nice to have a big group cheer them on,” said Jason Hawk, marketing coordinator for the rec center.

Bowman Cup Registration •Registration fees are $10 for everyone. •Find out about other Disability Awareness Month activities at kent.edu/sas. •Pre-Registration ends today at 5 P.M. Pre-Registration fees: •Students: $10 •SRWC members, faculty and staff or alumni: $15 •Community members: $20 •Registration fees after 5 p.m. are $25 for everyone. To register: •Go to www.recservices.kent.edu/bowmancup/participant.htm •Register in person on the day of the event for the $25fee. Schedule: •6:30 – 7:45 a.m. – Registration •8 a.m. – 1-Mile Walk & Roll •8:30 a.m. – 5k Bowman Cup Race •9:45 a.m. – Awards Ceremony •10 a.m. – Homecoming Parade •10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – SRWC Open House •3:30 p.m. – Football Game

SAS has volunteers to assist those who would need help to complete the race. Once the Walk ‘n Roll wraps up, the Bowman Cup race will begin.

Both events will begin at the rec center, but each has its own route.

“The route for Walk ‘n Roll starts at the rec, goes across Summit Street and makes a loop around Henderson and Cunningham halls,” Smith said. “Then it cuts back to the rec center.”

The Bowman Cup race route starts at the rec center, cuts across Summit Street, following Johnston Drive around the parking lot by the track. It continues past the Ice Arena, down Rhodes Road and makes a right onto Horning Road.

It then makes another right on Caranor Road and makes a left onto Carlton Road. That takes participants back to Horning Road and another right leads to the Portage Hike and Bike trail that turns back toward campus until it meets up with the Child Development Center. Participants will travel the rest of the way toward the rec center.

Once there, first- second- and third-place winners will be named for both male and female runners.

First-place winners get $75 cash, second-place winners get $50 cash and third-place winners get $25 cash.

Additionally male and female winners will win a prize from thier age group and for that sex.

“We have a system in place that can determine these criteria,” Hawk said.

All winners will receive a glass pint-sized cup with the Bowman Cup fedora logo on it.

All participants get T-shirts, goody bags, complimentary massages after the race and a complimentary buffet. Non-students will also get a ticket to the Homecoming football game.

As participants prepare for the race, one consideration should come before all of the rest:

“This year I do not plan to eat a bagel before I run, so hopefully I won’t throw up,” Ward said with a laugh.

Contact Student Recreation and Wellness Center reporter Robert Checkal at [email protected]