While many of us were fast asleep in the comfort of our dry, warm beds on Saturday morning, more than 3,500 people were preparing to face the rain and wind for the Longhorn Run at the University of Texas at Austin. Even at ORANGE we dragged ourselves out of bed and headed to the event to find the runners with freshest kicks at the fifth annual run. (What, did you actually think we were going to participate?)

By Estephanie Gomez

Photos by Karla Pulido

Here are some of our favorite shoe styles from the 5K/10K race — they might just inspire us to get physical.

NEON JUNGLE

College of Natural Sciences student Jasmine Gonzalez is no running novice. The Longhorn Run is her first 10K, but the 27-year-old has been an avid runner for three years. “I’m constantly trying out new running shoes, and when I went to a local store, they recommended these, “ Gonzalez says, pointing to her bright yellow-green Brooks T7s.

Andrew Beech, a 20-year-old College of Natural Sciences student, decided to brighten up the cloudy morning in neon Nikes. “I think neon colors are fun, especially as it’s getting closer to summer time,” Beech says.

Junior Daniel Bui stuck to his tried and true Adidas running shoes as he ran the 5K. “I knew everyone would be wearing burnt orange, so I thought it’d be fun to come out here,” Bui says.

UT alumna Ashley Hickson finished her run in style with her neon purple Nike Free 4.0 Flyknits.

PRETTY IN PINK

Liberal Arts freshman Alyana Fernandez participated in her first Longhorn Run in her Nike Flyknit Lunars. The 19-year-old says she recently bought the shoes because they were on sale and marked half off their original price.

McCombs School of Business alumna Carly Hubert used her bright pink Nike Flex Runs to help her fulfill a resolution. The Longhorn Run was Hubert’s fourth 5K of the year out of the 15 she hopes to complete in 2015.  

Moody College of Communications alumna Chasity Colomb came out to support the university during the 10K race. Colomb trusted her regular Nike running shoes to show off a little girl power.

SCHOOL SPIRIT

In the midst of all the different colors and feet, it was still hard to miss the bright white and orange of Sophia Mo’s Nikes. The comfortable and light shoes helped Mo in another 5K just a month ago. The Liberal Arts alumna says she was inspired to participate in the race “to run for those who can’t run.”

Anna Bu could not resist showing support for her boyfriend’s school in bright orange Nike shoes. “Honestly, my boyfriend bought them, but he has good taste,” Bu says.

“I tried to wear head-to-toe burnt orange,” says Tabitha Stork in her white and orange Nikes. The College of Communications alumna says she chose to run the 5K for the chance to be back on campus.

PASTEL POWER

Sophomore Stephanie Martinez wore her lilac Nikes for her second Longhorn Run. “It’s my first race with them, so hopefully they make me run faster,“ Martinez says.

McCombs School of Business alumna Aysha Welch wore her orange, sherbert-colored Nike shoes to her first Longhorn Run. “I’m in the best shape of my life right now and I’ve never run it before,” Welch says.

MIX AND MATCH

Clara Sohn chose to wear her colorful Nikes for the race because of their comfort and style. The McCombs School of Business senior wanted to take part in the race before graduating in the spring.

Pharmacy student Carolin Nguyen used the same multi-colored, form-fitting Nikes for this 5K that she used to run her very first 10K. “They’re kind of old, but they’re my good luck shoes,” she says.

College of Natural Sciences freshman Andrea Biaggi participated in her first 10K Longhorn Run with blue-patterned Mizuno Wave Creation 15 shoes. “They’re my favorite color, and I run in them all the time, so they’re nice and broken in,” says Biaggi.

Niya Jackson had to have her multi-colored Nike shoes when she first spotted them last summer. “I was looking for something light and stylish,” says the 20-year-old sophomore.

Jackson’s best friend Alisa Zambrano also sported multi-colored shoes for the 5K. The Liberal Arts sophomore crossed the race off her bucket list wearing these shoes because she heard Brooks was one of the best brand for running shoes.

Whether you’re running towards to get that summer body or walking to Whataburger, wearing any of these athletic shoes guarantee that you will get to your destination in style.