By: Taylor Browne/GCU Staff

Lopes Earn Two Top 5 Finishes in Age Groups at Weekend Race

The Grand Canyon University Running Club ran their first race after a two-month break at Zoo Move and Groove 5k which spanned the Phoenix Zoo—on Sunday. This was the Lopes’ first year in the race among a sea of over hundreds of runners, and the Lopes placed two runners in the top five of their age group.  

The Zoo Move and Groove 5k is in its third year at the Phoenix Zoo for a day of fun and fitness. This year was the third anniversary of the event to raise funds for the Tiger Conservation Campaign.

“It was really fun,” said Lopes Head Coach Kim Sims said. “It was an event for fundraising for the zoo, and the kids liked that it was laid back.  This was a smaller race compared to other events that we do, but it challenged the kids because it wasn’t all flat ground.”

Leading the way for GCU was freshman Jackson Reideman,  who recorded an impressive time at 18:45, placing 5^th in his age group (Male 18-24), as well as taking 5^th out of 774 runners overall.

“Jackson – who is more of a marathon runner – went outside of his ‘norm’, and did really well in the 5k,” said Sims. “This race gave my marathon runners some time to rest, re-group, and re-focus for the bigger events. As their coach, I want them to take time they need to heal their bodies.”

Lopes’ Kaylee Padour also placed 5^th in her age group (F18-24) with a time of 20:55 and 17^th overall.

“I love that I have a place to go to after classes,” said Padour. “The environment and meeting new people really make the experience. Coach Kim is also always encouraging, and helps us get to our best.”

GCU Running Club Zoo Move & Groove Contenders  

The Lopes’ next race will be on March 16 at the Run to Fight Children’s Cancer at GCU.  

Interested in running around GCU? Visit GCU to learn more about campus and events!