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Runners prepare to race at the starting line of the Tacky Sweater Holiday 5K at the University of Florida on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014. Participants ranged from young children and undergraduate students to medical students and residents of nearby towns.
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Michael Moore of Bell, Florida, awaits the start of the Tacky Sweater Holiday 5K at the University of Florida on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014, in his Santa-inspired outfit. His wife, Sandy Moore, joked that people call him "Nick" because of his look.
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Students from the University of Florida College of Medicine sing the National Anthem before the kickoff of the Tacky Sweater Holiday 5K at UF on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014. These students also volunteered to help throughout the course of the event.
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(From left) University of Florida medical school students Michael Robinson, 29, Daniel Turner, 24, and Samantha Baer, 28, wait for the start of the race at UF on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014. Baer brought her dog, Boo, to run the 5K with her.
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Abby Garner, a 21-year-old physical therapy doctoral student at the University of Florida, lengthens her stride as she approaches the finish line of the Tacky Sweater Holiday 5K at UF on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014. Garner is a member of the Florida Track Club.
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Students from the University of Florida College of Medicine arrange the finish line tape at the Tacky Sweater Holiday 5K at UF on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014. Students from the medical school came out to support or participate.
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Volunteers from the University of Florida College of Medicine cheer runners on as they finish the Tacky Sweater Holiday 5K at UF on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014. Each runner got a card with their place at the finish line.
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Participants of the Tacky Sweater Holiday 5K at the University of Florida refuel after the race Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014. Bagels and bananas were provided.
In the spirit of the holiday season, the University of Florida College of Medicine held a Tacky Sweater Holiday 5K on the UF campus Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014, at 8 a.m. UF students and residents of Gainesville and other nearby communities gathered for the event to run or walk the 3.1 miles in their most spirited holiday attire. Students from the UF College of Medicine volunteered to help with the event, some participating in the race. The overall winner of the 5K was 16-year-old Ryan Lauzardo of Gainesville High School, and the first place female was 21-year-old UF physical therapy doctoral student Abby Garner. The event was held to raise awareness and funding for the UF College of Medicine medical outreach trips. Each year, students travel to places like Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Ecuador and Nicaragua to provide free medical healthcare, health and hygiene education and medication.
