Campus Safety Race Draws 900 Runners in Utah
Runners in Salt Lake City can join a fundraising race that supports campus-safety efforts against relationship violence and stalking.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Running
The fifth annual Lauren McCluskey Race for Campus Safety was held at the University of Utah, offering 1K, 5K and 10K races at the McCarthey Family Track and Field in Salt Lake City. The event raises awareness about relationship violence and stalking, and has grown from 45 participants in its first year to about 900 today.
Why it matters
Proceeds from registration fees and fundraising support the Lauren McCluskey Foundation's national work on campus safety and accountability. The race was created to honor the murder of Lauren McCluskey and to keep attention on the warning signs of relationship violence and stalking that affect students.
Organizer-reported participation rose from 45 runners in the first annual race to about 900 at the fifth, a twentyfold increase. The source does not provide fundraising totals or a breakdown of how many participants were students versus community members.
The players
Lauren McCluskey Foundation
A nonprofit created to honor Lauren McCluskey and advance campus safety and accountability efforts nationally.
University of Utah
The public research university in Salt Lake City that hosted the race at its McCarthey Family Track and Field.
The details
Runners could choose a 1K, 5K or 10K course at the McCarthey Family Track and Field on the University of Utah campus. Registration fees and fundraising efforts fund the Lauren McCluskey Foundation, which works on campus safety and accountability initiatives nationally. This year's festival also included community partner mascots such as Bumble the Bee, Leo the Lion, Cleo the Lioness and SWOOP, along with vendor booths and trick-or-treating for children.
Timeline
The first annual race took place with 45 participants.
The fifth annual race was held on Halloween, October 31, 2026.
Campus Safety Advocacy
The race keeps alive the advocacy that followed the murder of University of Utah student Lauren McCluskey, turning a single tragedy into a recurring community event focused on relationship violence and stalking prevention.
Runners and campus community members can use events like this to learn the warning signs of relationship violence and stalking. If you are concerned about a situation affecting you or someone you know, speaking with a campus resource or a trusted professional is a good first step.
The takeaway
Awareness of relationship violence and stalking is a public health concern that campus events like this one help bring into view. Learning the warning signs and knowing where to seek support on campus is a practical step anyone can take.
Further reading
For more on local events like this one, explore Running coverage in Salt Lake City.
