On Sunday, October 16, 2016, the Nathan Weiss Graduate College hosted its annual Memorial Cougar Color 5K. Students, faculty and members of the surrounding community came together early Sunday morning to race around a track while colors like green, purple and yellow were thrown at them. 

The race began at 9:30 a.m and attendees ran or walked a 5K course around the campus. The course began in the Vaughn Eames parking lot, continued through the Kean Hall parking lot and around the Resident Halls, finishing in Vaughn Eames. 

"I think [this is] an amazing way to help raise money for graduate scholarships. It can help out a fellow graduate student chase [his or her] dreams," comments Kean University graduate student Ashley Whittemore, who is studying school counseling. 

The Cougar Color Run is to help raise money that will go towards scholarships for Graduate Students. In previous years, because of the Cougar Color Run, the Nathan Weiss Graduate School was able to raise enough money to give out 48 scholarships in the past two years.

Bernie Weiss attended this year's color run. She also gives a scholarship to graduate students. 

"Just running alongside everyone, and seeing everyone in a good mood was really nice," comments Dana Lenahan, an attendee of the Cougar Color Run. "I find it great that the money raised is going to help graduate students."

At the end of the race, awards were given out to the participants. There were eight different categories, which included best costume and overall best time. 

Below are the best costume winners:

First Place: Taco John
Second and third place: Stephanie and Samantha, who had won matching tutu's 

Below are the top three overall best time:

First place: Payne Vazquez, with a time of 21:07
Second Place: Andrew Cruz, with a time of 23:15
Third Place: Taylor Maxon, with a time of 23:28

Below are the top three overall best time for women:

First Place: Taylor Maxon, with a time of 23:28
Second Place: Nicole Lopez, with a time of 26:15
Third Place: Dana Lenahan, with a time of 26:17

Below are the top three overall best time for men:

First place: Payne Vazquez, with a time of 21:07
Second Place: Andrew Cruz, with a time of 23:15
Third Place: Alex Rankin, with a time of 23:46

"This was fun and it was great being with friends, and running through the colors," comments Emily a Kean University graduate student studying pathology. 

There were several colors that were thrown as the attendees ran or walked through the course. Attendees came in wearing clean, white shirts and left wearing a rainbow of colors.

Missed the Cougar Color Run? Stop by next year to be a part of it and help raise money for scholarships going towards graduate students.