The annual Moonlight Howl and Run event took off from the Belltower to kickstart the academic year on Aug. 22. More than 5,000 participants gathered at the Belltower and joined a 1.3-mile run through North and Main Campus to help new students get to know the Wolfpack community.
The pre-event featured a fiery performance by the Wolfpack Twirlers, who twirled and juggled blazing batons on the Bell tower platform. Following the twirlers, two Wellness and Recreation instructors led the participants in an enthusiastic warm-up.
Participants then started down the route to Stafford Commons. Some wore decorative outfits with groups of friends dressed in matching themes or wacky sunglasses and headbands, contributing to the jovial atmosphere.
“It was really fun to see all the crowds of people running,” said Kennedy Knight, a first-year in exploratory studies. “I didn’t know that many people would actually show up, and it was just fun to go with people from my dorm. We all walked together and wore coordinating outfits. I didn’t even think I was gonna actually run the whole time, but it was motivating seeing everybody else.”
The yearly run, organized by NC State Wellness and Recreation, aims to build community and raise awareness about health and wellness. Director of Nutrition and Wellness for NC State Dining, Lauren Smith, said this event is a great way for new students to see campus.
“I think it’s a really big community building event, and it’s a great collaboration between Wellness and Recreation and NC State Dining,” Smith said. “I think it’s a great way to introduce students to campus, not only by running around and seeing the campus itself, but also by making new friends or reconnecting with old ones from before the summer started.”
The crowd swiftly passed Stinson Drive four minutes after the race began. The participants showed their Wolfpack pride by chanting “Wolf! Pack!” and howling under the waning moon.
The crowd proved to be a force to be reckoned with. While the DJ played a house remix of “Circle of Life” from “The Lion King,” non-participants trying to cross the street looked as helpless as young Simba trying to navigate the oncoming stampede of wildebeests.
“To experience college while you have the chance, there’s so many things going on, and you sometimes forget that you have the time to do this,” said Matthew Rink, a fourth-year studying mathematics. “So my biggest thing is to do it.”
The run could not have been a true Wolfpack event without the promise of free T-shirts. The first 1,800 participants who checked in received an envied Moonlight Howl and Run tee. No participant left the event empty-handed, as all participants had the chance to pick up glow accessories at the ballroom to light up their run or walk.
All remaining participants crossed the inflatable finish line, where the event staff celebrated them. Most caught their breath before enjoying the live DJ, 360-degree photo booth, a photo op with Mr. and Mrs. Wuf, games and snacks.
More information about similar upcoming events can be found on Wellness and Recreation’s website.
