Florida State University Panama City is hosting the Annual 5K Torch Run from 9 a.m. to noon CT, Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024, starting and ending at the Holley Academic Center, 4750 Collegiate Drive.

The Torch Run, an FSU Panama City tradition since 1989, will for the third year be a timed 5K run spearheaded by business administration student and Intramural Sports Coordinator Zach Murzyn. The race will wind through Carl Gray Park and the campuses of FSU PC and Gulf Coast State College (GCSC).

Students, alumni, the community and visitors of all ages are invited to run or walk. Strollers and pets are welcome. Awards will be given to first-, second- and third-place winners; all participants will receive Torch Run medals. Packet pickup is from 7:30-8:45 a.m. race day at the Holley Academic Center.

Registration is $25 in advance ($30 the day prior and day of event) and includes a Torch Run T-shirt. All proceeds benefit the FSU PC Promise Scholarship Fund. Registration is free for all FSU PC and GCSC students. For more information and to register, visit https://fsupctorchrun.itsyourrace.com/

The FSU Panama City Promise Scholarship was established as part of the FSU PC Promise, a commitment to accessibility and student success by making the cost of achieving a four-year degree possible. The FSU PC Promise Scholarship provides free tuition and fees to students who are residents of NW Florida and whose combined family and student income is less than $60,000 or are Pell eligible.

The winners of the 2023 Torch run were: 

• Men’s Division: Walter Spangler, first place with a time of 17:45; Caden Vandermeulen, second place, 17:51; and Nathan Holmes, third place, 18:06.
• Women’s Division: Maggie Bartlow, first place with a time of 19:18; Kitty Burke, second place, 21:07; and Bree Thompson, third place, 22:58.

AT A GLANCE:
FSU Panama City Torch Run

• What: Timed 5K through FSU PC and Gulf Coast State College campuses
• When: 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 20; packet pickup from 7:30-8:45 a.m.
• Where: Holley Academic Center, 4750 Collegiate Drive, Panama City
• Registration: $25 in advance ($30 day prior and race day)
• Details: https://fsupctorchrun.itsyourrace.com/