More than 400 runners and walkers traversed Cal Poly Pomona's campus for the 11th Annual Matt's Run 5K, raising $5,000 for student scholarships.
With the theme of celebrating everyday heroes, many participants wore superhero costumes, shirts or capes for the Oct. 15 race.
The Bronco Pep Band entertained before the race and Billy Bronco and the Broncettes dance team cheered racers as they crossed the finish line.
Matthew Klein, the course record-holder, won this year's race with a time of 15:50.02, just 36 seconds behind the record course time he recorded in 2013. Cal Poly Pomona senior Austin Van Biezen took second at 16:22.83 while Jose Cruz ('16, kinesiology) captured third in 18:07.92.
Thirteen-year-old Esmeralda Yanez was the top female finisher with a time of 23:31.81; followed by Michelle Genin at 23:43.46 and Beth Foster, an assistant professor in kinesiology and health promotion, at 24:11.26.
The winner of the Myers Cup, given to the group exhibiting the most enthusiasm and spirit on race day, will be announced later this year. More than 100 volunteers participated.
The race is a tribute to Matthew Myers, a communication student at Cal Poly Pomona who died in 2005. After his death, his parents, Kevin and Chris Myers, and sister, Jenna Myers, ('11, English) worked with the university to create a scholarship that would honor his passion to serve others and reflect his love of running.
Since Matt's Run began in 2006, the Matthew Myers Scholarship Fund Endowment has awarded 94 scholarships. This year's $1,000 scholarships were awarded to:
- Jacklyn O'Hara, senior, civil engineering
- Cydnee Serrano, senior, finance, real estate and law
- Daniel Alaniz, sophomore, music industry
- Allison Mullen, junior, agricultural science and
- Micayla Anderson, senior, communication.
Scholarship requirements include a commitment to community engagement and a 3.0 GPA for Cal Poly Pomona freshmen or a 2.75 GPA for continuing students.