Deep Hollow Race Expects Over 300 Runners

Liberty University’s Campus Recreation is hosting its annual Deep Hollow Half Marathon & 5K race Oct.15 at Hydaway during Homecoming weekend. The half-marathon will begin at 8 a.m., and the 5K begins at 8:15 a.m. The 5K race is 3.1 miles, and the half-marathon is 13.1 miles. The event is open to the Liberty University student body as well as the Lynchburg community.

Mike Ellsworth, director of Outdoor Recreation, said that this event is a great way for Liberty University students to connect with the Lynchburg community. 

“The running community in general is based on comradery, support for one another and encouragement,” Ellsworth said. “The Lynchburg area is really well-known for a very strong racing community, both trails and road. I mean the history of this race truly starts in the Lynchburg community. It started there, and then it’s morphed into an event that is now made up of students and faculty of the university.”

Liberty University student Sarah Killoy is interested in this event as a way to get reacquainted with running. 

“I’m more into the lifting side of working out and things like that, so getting into running again is very exciting for me,” Killoy said. “Everybody who does races just has a different type of energy, and they’re just so fun, and regardless of how draining or exhausting it might be, everyone’s just always in a good mood, and they’re just excited to be there. Races just have such a fun atmosphere, and I wanted to try to do another one again.” 

Registration for the Deep Hollow Half Marathon & 5K is currently open. According to Ellsworth, the number of registrations for the event is up by 7% this year. 

“We really expect to see about 300 runners overall. We see about 150 in the 5K and 150 participants in the half-marathon,” Ellsworth said. “We usually have around 300 runners and then 100-200 spectators, whether that’s family or friends of those running. It really is a large event for us. It is my favorite event that we do at Outdoor Rec, and it’s a joy to be there at Hydaway.” 

According to Ellsworth, the most difficult portion of the 5K is the middle portion of the race due to the difficult hill. He stated that the half-marathon has “pretty large elevation changes throughout the whole distance.” Despite the challenges that may come with the half-marathon and 5K, the event provides students who are interested in running an outlet to do so.

“The environment on race day is so exciting, and it’s such an emotional high to involve both your physical muscles in the trail race as well as your social and emotional skills as you deal with difficult hills and long distances. It’s a great way to challenge yourself,” Ellsworth said. “And it’s just a great way for students to get to know other athletes and trail runners that live in the Lynchburg area.”

To find out more about the race series that Campus Recreation offers, students can visit www.Liberty.edu/Races.

Scott is a news reporter for the Liberty Champion