Ethan Hall, senior information systems major, planned to go for a leisurely jog last Saturday morning at the Nitty Gritty Tie Dye Run, but he ended up competing.

“There was a guy that kept coming up on me when I was fading during the race. I was thinking about him way too much,” Hall said.

He ran cross-country at Olpe High School.

Two-hundred and ninety-five Emporia students and community members lined up in front of William Allen White Library on Sept. 6 to take part in the Nitty Gritty Tie Dye Run.

“We did it on campus this year to get the campus and community more involved,” said Alex Hull, senior recreation major, who helped with the event.

Associated Student Government, Union Activities Council, Community Hornets and ESU Rec Services sponsored the race.

Daniel Fragel, senior recreation major, planned the course, which began and ended in Kellogg Circle. The route continued through campus, included a lap around the track and passed places such as Wooster Lake and the Rec Center.

“Having it on campus was a nice touch. It was more convenient just to get here for me. I didn’t have to drive anywhere,” said Michael Wilson, junior communication major.

Last year, the run took place at Camp Alexander and had only 279 participants.

“Pink was sprayed at the bridge, I remember because someone squirted that in my mouth,” Hall said.

After the race, participants were given water and zip-lock bags filled with colored powder to throw during the after-party celebration. Proceeds from the event will go directly to Children’s Champion Network.