Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025 saw the triumphant climax of months of training, sweat and endurance for more than 4,000 participants of War Eagle Run Fest (WERF).
“[WERF] in Auburn is unique in that it brings together all the people that are in various, unique stages of life. I ran beside other college students, young parents, elderly adults, high schoolers, teachers, grandparents and other people in completely different stages of life than me,” said Annie Lusk, junior in early childhood education.
There were three components of WERF this year: a half marathon, a 5k and a kid’s mile, sponsored by Allen Turner of Toyota of Auburn. The run fest is in its fourth year, and is hosted by Auburn-Opelika Tourism and FRESHJUNKIE Racing, two organizations that prioritize economic impact in communities across the southeast.
A fan-favorite part of WERF is the finish line, an iconic display on the 50-yard line of Jordan-Hare Stadium. After participants are awarded their medals, the organizations host a post-race tailgate on the campus green for all runners and supporters.
The winners of the half marathon were Josh Whitehead of Madison, with 1:11.57 for the men’s division and Johanna Ehrhardt of Mobile, who ran 1:23.27 in the women’s division. David Layfield of Alexander City, won the men’s 5k with a time of 15:58.33, and Luci Williams of Birmingham won the women’s 5k in 18:36.93.
Whether motivated by competition, enjoyment or fitness, runners in the WERF each had a story of why this particular race was significant to them.
Garrett Ashley, senior in journalism, ran the 5k on Sunday. He felt inspired by not only the impressive setup of WERF but also the community of runners and supporters that surrounded him.
“When I arrived outside the stadium on race day morning, I remember feeling the surge of excitement and adrenaline,” Ashley said. “It was so invigorating being in a space full of motivated people, some who traveled quite a long way to be here, all for the purpose of moving our bodies. That type of energy, surrounded by so many fellow runners up early in the morning alone made the sign up worth it.”
Even though Ashley is a member of the Auburn University Marching Band and spends a lot of time on Pat Dye Field, the feeling of crossing the finish line on the 50-yard line after such a strenuous experience was exhilarating and unique.
Runners at the start of War Eagle Run Fest on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025. Contributed by Caroline Cardinal Cardinal, communications associate with WERF.
Jake Lazarus, broadcast journalism master’s student at Syracuse, graduated from Auburn University in May of 2024. He traveled the 1,070 miles back to Auburn so he could finish a race he started in his college years.
“That feeling, that serotonin bump, that runner’s high that everyone talks about is one of my favorite feelings ever,” Lazarus said.
Lazarus pursued fitness throughout college and slowly discovered his passion for running. However, he was unable to run the half marathon his senior year due to achilles tendonitis. He described himself as very competitive, and it disappointed him to not be able to run that year. He knew he couldn’t leave that goal unfinished.
“This time I wanted to prove to myself that I could not only do the distance but conquer the distance […] and do a time I could be really proud of,” Lazarus said.
Runners during their respective races for War Eagle Run Fest on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025. Contributed by Caroline Cardinal Cardinal, communications associate with WERF.
Courtney Collins-Pisano is a current grad student pursuing a PhD from Auburn’s psychology department and also ran the half marathon on Sunday. She started running as a way to stay active and described it as a big stress-reliever for her in the hustle and bustle of schoolwork.
Collins-Pisano had seen several people around her participate in WERF, and after completing a tough mudder run with her friends, she found the motivation to register and train for her first race.
“[It] was really relieving and exciting to be on the field and do that and have that goal completed,” Collins-Pisano said.
War Eagle Run Fest is individually meaningful for all of its participants. However, one thing was always the same: though challenging, each person found it incredibly fulfilling to achieve their goals in a place that meant so much to them.
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Sami Grace Donnelly, senior in English literature, began writing for the Plainsman in the fall of 2021. She has served as a columnist, writer abroad, Opinion Editor, managing editor and is now Editor-in-Chief of the Plainsman.
