Kristin Buchanan
Contributing Writer
Saturday morning was beautiful: clear skies, a cool breeze and highly educated people running around in their underwear.
It was part of the University of Houston Law Center's fun run, which began at 8 a.m. to the sound of bagpipes playing "Chariots of Fire."
This year's event was different from those of past years not only because of the new name and theme, "Running in Your Briefs" - where people came to the race in boxer shorts - but also because of record participation.
Melissa Cantrel, second-year law student and a coordinator for the race, said, "This year was better than we expected. We advertised more, distributed more flyers at marathons and were listed in The Daily Cougar and the Houston Chronicle."
About 275 people showed up at the race this year, the biggest crowd this event has ever seen.
That unexpectedly good outcome was partly due to the invitation extended to the surrounding community.
Mary Alice, a second-year law student wearing a pair of Minnie Mouse boxers, said, "Running in boxer shorts gives you more of an advantage because you have more freedom of movement."
The race was first held four years ago for Public Interest Scholarships, which help to pay for students to work during the summer for organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union, the Gulf Coast Legal Fund and the Texas Lawyers and Accountants for the Arts.
Four scholarships will be given this summer.
The race also benefited the Murray Nusynowitz Memorial Scholarship Fund for students who have "demonstrated academic excellence, student involvement and participation in the recruitment and admissions process."
The award ceremony at the end of the festivities began with a speech by Leah Gross, Nusynowitz's sister. Nusynowitz was the Law Center's assistant dean of admissions. He was involved in the race and was popular among the students. The fund in his memory was started by the Students' Bar Association.
The first three people to cross the finish line in the race were not UH students, but people from the surrounding community who came to support the race and to get a good workout.
Haffis Banire, who won first place in the male overall category with a time of about 14 minutes, said that it felt good to be first, but there was not much competition.
"The best part of the race was the free massage at the end," he said. Banire has been training vigorously, running 80 miles a week. He said his biggest goal is to win the Houston Marathon.
Sabrina Willis was the first woman to finish the race, with a time of 18 minutes, 45 seconds.
"It was fun, it was a good course and it was nice to be the first woman to finish the race," she said.
Unfortunately, this race was not without its quirks. With the rain that had fallen the day before, the roads were a little slick. Tim Burton, a third-year law student, said, "The wet concrete slowed me down the most because (it was) so slippery. Still, I'm glad to have been part of a worthwhile event."
Also, the definite finishing times of the first two winners are yet to be determined due to some confusion.
Alice explained, "The first two winners missed their turn and crossed the finish line later than they should have." However, the race coordinators said they did everything in their power to correct the situation.
In spite of these flukes, this race was still fun for people of all ages. Fifteen-year-old KeriAnn Dwyer, a cross-country runner at Spring High School, said, "This was a really fun race. It was fun being around older people."
"I really enjoyed this race," agreed 55-year-old Ginny Henray. "The best part of it was beating my practiced time at the two-mile mark."
This was Henray's first race.
The post-race party featured a band consisting of bagpipes and a snare drum playing Scottish music and a few popular numbers.
There was also a plethora of free doughnuts, bagels and cinnamon buns, as well as massages for all.
A number of sponsors donated prizes, including free meals for two and tickets to Houston Aeros hockey games, The grand prize was a one-night stay for two at the Plaza Hilton in the Medical Center.