By DANIEL SOLTERO, staff reporter

The University Recreation and the department of military sciences are celebrating Student Appreciation Day by hosting their very first Wildcat Dash.

On May 24, participants will endure a 5k dash beginning at the Language & Literature Building on the north end of campus.

From there, participants will take on several obstacles as they make their way down Nicholson Blvd., through the Alder Recreation Complex, across Eighteenth Street and down D Street before finishing at the library.

Based on the popular Warrior Dash series, the Wildcat Dash is a 5k with a surprise twist. Heats take off every 15 minutes, beginning with running.

Competitors will have to conquer 19 obstacles including crawling through a mud pit, carrying logs, walking across a balance beam, swinging 15 feet to safety, and pulling a 75-pound sled across a field on their way to the finish line.

Eric Scott, interim associate director at the Recreation Center, held the event last year and had a lot of positive feedback from the students.

“It was an incredible turnout,” Scott said. “140 students coming out and pushing themselves to get to the finish line. It was just awesome to see.”

But the dash isn’t just a physical challenge: students are expected to use their brain in some of the obstacles.

“We want to challenge the competitors to do their best,” Scott said. “We want it to be safe and fun for everyone who comes and participates.”

The Wildcat Dash will be full of opportunities for students to push their limits while building camaraderie with other participants.

The event will take place from 3 to 7 p.m. Registration is available at the Recreation Center front desk and costs $20 for Central students and Recreation Center members and $40 for non-members. Students can also apply online at www.cwu.edu/tickets.

All proceeds will benefit the Collegiate Sport Clubs program.