A Record Turnout for Year’s Final ‘Run With Jim’

April 30, 2024 By Mike Mather, mike.mather@virginia.edu Mike Mather, mike.mather@virginia.edu

A record number of participants for the traditional “Fourth-Year Run With Jim” event gathered first on the turf of Scott Stadium and later ambled to the steps of the Rotunda, all hoping to keep pace with University of Virginia President Jim Ryan, fresh off completing his 13th consecutive Boston Marathon.

Related Story

The number of Wahoos who rose to run at dawn on a Tuesday – nearly 1,500 signed up officially – bested the previous record of roughly 900, set a year earlier. The vast sea of participants snaking through Grounds and sporting white "Run With Jim" T-shirts capped a series of presidential runs with students around the University for the academic year. This final one celebrated the Class of 2024.

 

 

Ryan kicked off the series in 2018, believing maybe a dozen students would join in that first run. More than a hundred did. The events have become so popular that many fourth-year students add them to their bucket lists of things to do before leaving UVA.

After the runners and walkers reached the finish line – an arch of blue, orange and white balloons – many snapped selfies with the president, other University leaders and Cavman. Then, hundreds hung around on the Lawn for “Chill With Cavman.” Here are some photos from the morning’s event:

Portrait of Jim Ryan
(Photo by Emily Faith Morgan, University Communications)
Group of students taking pictures during the 'Run with Jim' event.
(Photo by Emily Faith Morgan, University Communications)
Photo from the back of a person.
(Photo by Emily Faith Morgan, University Communications)
Group of student taking picture during Run with Jim event
(Photo by Emily Faith Morgan, University Communications)
Picture of student with Cavman
(Photo by Emily Faith Morgan, University Communications)
Student group picture with president Ryan
(Photo by Emily Faith Morgan, University Communications)
Picture of Cedric Rucker with Cavman
(Photo by Emily Faith Morgan, University Communications)
Student picture with Cavman
(Photo by Matt Riley, University Communications)
Picture of Jim Ryan exercising with students
(Photo by Emily Faith Morgan, University Communications)
Student taking selfie with Jim Ryan
(Photo by Matt Riley, University Communications)
Picture shows a group of students running in front of UVA's Madison Hall.
(Photo by Matt Riley, University Communications)
The picture shows a student celebrating at the finish line.
(Photo by Matt Riley, University Communications)

Media Contact

Mike Mather

Managing Editor University Communications