A presidential jog

Bollinger leads 5K jog across campus

As he crossed the 50-yard line inside the newly remodeled Big House yesterday, Pharmacy Prof. and avid runner George Garcia leapt to touch the famous "Go Blue" banner.

"I did it because I have been watching the team touch it for years," Garcia said as he slowed to a walk following the completion of the Second Annual Presidential Fun Run.

Garcia was one of nearly 100 runners who joined University President Lee Bollinger and Athletic Director Tom Goss - both donning running shorts and T-shirts - on the cross-country jog around the athletic campus.

"It's a nice course, and nice to break away and do something guilt-free for a while," Garcia said.

NATHAN RUFFER/ Daily University President Lee Bollinger, center, leads about 100 people on a 5-kilometer jog around campus yesterday morning. University Athletic Director Tom Goss is on the left.

Bollinger said yesterday's run was different than last year's Fun Run, which preceded his inauguration ceremony last September.

"Last year I was so preoccupied, it was hard for me to think about" the run, Bollinger said. "But I wanted to do it again this year."

University spokesperson Joel Seguine said the run was in conjunction with the first official opening of the newly enlarged Michigan Stadium, where the race ended.

"This is the first time the stadium is open to the public," Seguine said. "The new video scoreboards will be showing the end of the run. The run basically ends in the stadium."

Bollinger said he was certain the inside of the stadium would be a delight to the runners viewing the new additions for the first time.

"I think it will have a positive reaction," Bollinger said. "I know there are some doubters, but this stadium has a festive, collegiate and not professional attraction."

Run participant Ben Sturm said the new video scoreboards were a great sight at the end of the run.

"This is phenomenal," said Sturm, an Engineering senior. "It was cool running in a race with the president ... and it ends here, in the largest collegiate stadium in the nation."

As the runners looped around the athletic campus, Michigan men's cross-country coach Ron Warhurst kept tabs on the participants and offered updates.

"Here they come," Warhurst announced from the southeast corner of the stadium. "Tom Goss isn't leading the pack."

But Goss was all smiles after he finished the race as he helped himself to refreshments - provided outside the tunnel entrance to the stadium for runners - and talked with other participants.

"The run was more difficult than I thought," Goss said. "But being in the back gave me the opportunity to assess the rear."

Director of Media Relations Bruce Madej, who stayed in the stadium during the run, said the afternoon was intended to show everyone what the stadium was about.

"We're trying to make this an enjoyable afternoon with the run and the open house at the stadium," Madej said.

Engineering senior Josh Nelson said he appreciates how Bollinger tries to reach out to students with events such as the run.

"It's neat to get a chance to run with the president," Nelson said.

"I didn't run with him the whole time, but I did end up finishing next to him."

Bollinger, who said he was pleased with the turn-out, said he hopes to do the run again next year.

Women's cross-country runner Jeannie Spink said she is already planning for next year's jog with Bollinger.

"I wanted to come this year ... it sounded like fun," said Spink, an LSA first-year student. "But maybe next year we'll run with the president."

09-11-98