A cold and clouded morning did not discourage supporters of the Second Annual Nick Orrange 5K Run from gathering at Baird Point to embark on their journey around the University at Buffalo's chilly North Campus.
Family, friends, and strangers united this past Sunday to commemorate the life and spirit of the late Nicholas Orrange. The event was started last year to raise funds for a memorial scholarship under Orrange's name on behalf of his unexpected death in January 2010.
The 22-year-old UB senior was involved in a one-car accident that left loved ones, as well as the university, at a great loss of an inspirational force. Orrange was recognized for his active involvement within the UB community through his leadership as the special interest service and hobbies coordinator for the Undergraduate Student Association. He was also president of the College Democrats.
Sunday's race was attended by approximately 225 participants, a significant 29 percent increase from the 175 runners who attended the year before. The route began at 9:30 a.m. on St. Rita's lane between the Child Care Center and the South Lake Village, stretched across the perimeter, and twisted through North Campus, finally ending at the sidewalk sandwiched between Baird Point and Alumni Arena. Runners started collecting themselves around Baird Point as early as 8 a.m. to gather their race information and mingle with the other participants.
There were a variety of race attendees. Some were running in the Nick Orrange Run for their first time, and others returned for their second year; the participants widely differed from age to level of running skill.
Orrange's father and mother, David Orrange and Cheryl Beamer, participated as runners in the race last year but were volunteers for this year's event. Beamer was extremely thankful and appreciative of all the support she saw from the UB community.
"[I] thank all of these students for turning out and supporting," Beamer said. "[Nick] would be humbled by everybody doing this for him, and he would be the first one here to do it for anyone else."
It was a bittersweet moment to see all of the support from the participants of the race; their presence was immensely appreciated, but it was for circumstances that one only hopes could have been avoided. Beamer explained that this year's funds would remain at UB for a scholarship rather than go to the St. Joseph Collegiate Institute, which was the recipient in the previous year.
"I am very honored that there is a run in his name," Beamer said.
Shervin Stoney, a senior political science major and vice president of the Student Association, was a close friend of Orrange and had arranged the races for the past two years. He spoke of Orrange's love and loyalty for UB, explaining how it was the only college to which he had ever applied.
"Nick was heavily involved in the student government," Stoney said. "He was really passionate about UB."
Stoney expressed his desire for word of the Nick Orrange 5K Run to gain more attention next year and attract more attendees. He hopes for the race to remain a part of UB tradition, just as the Linda Yalem Safety Run has grown to become so.
"[We] hope to keep Nick's legacy going," Stoney said.
The race was commenced by an elegant singing of the national anthem, and a gunshot in the air ignited the kick forward of the participants' legs.
Fifteen minutes and 59 seconds after the fire of the pistol, Jon French, 27, of North Tonawanda zoomed past the finish line, being the first male to cross and beating the second male by 37 seconds. First place for females was 45-year-old Carol Bartto from Buffalo.
Volunteers were exceptionally helpful during the race, as they encouraged runners from the sidelines and provided them with Dixie cups of water after they completed the race. Some runners huddled around the finish line after completing the race themselves to support other participants approaching the designated area.
Though the weather was significantly cooler than the forecasted 67 degrees, participants remained in positively warm and encouraging spirits as they all gathered to commemorate the celebrated life of Orrange.
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