Credit: Olivia Ambery
The Center for Athletics, Intramural & Recreation orchestrated yet another successful edition of the Heart Healthy Run/Walk at the Clark Athletic Center on Thursday, February 15, during a common hour at SUNY Old Westbury.
Named appropriately for Valentine’s Day, the Heart Healthy Run/Walk was an opportunity for students and faculty members to engage on a 1.25 mile run or walk. The route began at the Clark Athletic Center and ran behind the New Academic Building and Woodlands Halls. From there, it continued up towards the Campus Center, down to the Student Union, and back.
Under the guidance of Intramural and Recreation Coordinator Scott Bickard, the run/walk provided a chance for cardio lovers to enjoy the beautiful winter scenery on campus while promoting their fitness. Refreshments and snacks are available for participants to replenish their energy and prizes awaiting the top finishers.
According to Scott Bickard, the program is the first of three offered every semester as a chance to meet others who enjoy exercising and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, or just to have fun. “One goal is just to get people together who want to have an excuse and people to exercise with,” he said. “We usually have a group of runners and a group of walkers.”
His vision extending beyond the run, Bickard further reflected on his history with the Old Westbury athletic community. “My first semester here,” was during the pandemic in 2020, “the building wasn’t really open, so the run was a good alternative to indoor programming.”
A runner himself since his freshman year of highschool, Bickard said the event was a great gateway to introduce students to the road racing scene, which many people enjoy off campus.
The Heart Healthy Run was not just for athletes in Old Westbury’s cross country program. It also attracted members of the Old Westbury staff, including library Administrative Assistant Rory Nimetz, a long time enjoyed of walking outdoors, and Psychology department secretary Anthony Kostick.
Kostick laughed, expressing his excitement with other administrative members as they waited in anticipation for the walk to begin. “I like to interact with different people during these events,” he stated. “It’s a celebration.”
As the walk commenced, the frozen winter air did not bother the walkers or the runners. They found the outdoor event as enjoyable as usual.
