Junkyard Run at FSU

The blaring music vibrated through you as you neared the Guild parking lot for the Junkyard Run on Sunday, April 1st. Beat up cars lined the designated area that was to be the obstacle course. Teams gathered in various places to talk, stretch, or goof around in excitement.

The Junkyard Run raised awareness about drinking grain alcohol, which can be dangerous. Over 200 students signed a pledge against grain alcohol, and in return, they got a free t-shirt. Teams of four raced over cars and vans, competing for the best time. The race was both risky and rewarding to those who participated.

Team "Tau So Hard," comprised of Alpha Sigma Tau sisters

Before the race, Marthe Ambroise, a freshman International Studies major from Silver Spring, was walking with a teammate. She, along with Kayla Garner, Kim Stahler, and Christina Wiley, were representing the women’s rugby team. Marthe said, “We wanted to raise more money for the women’s rugby team.” She did not realize that it was an event to raise awareness, however, not money. Even the lemonade, water, pretzels, and cotton candy were free. Marthe still had fun, though. She raced through, amazing the crowd with her speed and completing the course very quickly. She then stood at the finish cheering and encouraging the rest of her team. The team with the best time, however, was the men's soccer team, with an astounding 40 seconds. Injuries did occur. One person tripped and sent his foot through the windshield of one of the cars; another may have broken his wrist. No one seemed to mind these incidents, however; the same people were seen laughing and cheering on the other teams. Other teams had costumes, such as the crowd favorite, the Mario Brothers. People laughed and cheered crazily as first Luigi, Mario, Princess Peach, and Yoshi ran by to Mario theme music (this was an all male team, so "Peach" in his dress received a particularly loud cheer as he clambered over cars).

April Baer, the Coordinator for University Wellness, said that over 20 teams signed up to race. "We want to educate students about high grain alcohol consumption," she said sincerely. Grain alcohol, she mentioned, is 90% alcohol; that's  much more than beer and other types of alcohol. She hopes that this event will make students think more carefully about their use of grain alcohol, including in "jungle juice." She reported that the Junkyard Run had never before been done on campus. Maybe this is the start of another Frostburg tradition.