Open to anyone, club shows it will speak out against injustice in creative ways by Guilherme Hiray Leal Posted Thursday, June 11, 2020 @ 5:54 PM Orlando, FL (June 10, 2020) – Amid protests across and outcries for social justice and police reform, the Knight Runners at UCF created an event to support Knights and people everywhere impacted by the death of George Floyd. “It’s important for members to know this so they feel safe and welcomed to join, play, and be part of this community,” said Sophie Boudette, a senior psychology major in the College of Sciences and club’s president. With the help of club officers Tyler Copeland, Matthew Pawlyshyn, Steven Lazar, Michael Dunlap, and Boudette, the event encouraged the UCF community to run 4.6 miles in honor of Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement. The chosen mileage represented the eight minutes and 46 seconds Floyd had a knee on his neck, and a more doable distance to all participants instead of 8.46 miles, according to them. The club asked participants to upload their mileage to the club’s Strava group, an application that monitors participants’ running and cycling performances. The idea originated from Dunlap, also a senior psychology major and club’s risk manager, who initially planned to run the 4.6 miles on his own, but as his teammates knew about, the club decided it would be a great way to show that they support to big causes. More than thirteen members of the club took part in the run and totaled approximately 70 miles on the app, according to the club’s president. Even though he was a little afraid of the engagement it would bring at first, Dunlap said he was proud, impressed, and happy about how the club were part of the movement. “I think by doing this event and showing our support we are telling members and potential members that we are an inclusive community and no matter who you are or where you come from you will be welcomed at Knight Runners and treated equally,” Boudette said. As the club continues to look for new ways to make members feel welcomed, they also want to be an active voice to emphasize equality within the UCF community. “I feel it is very important that UCF and running culture be seen as something that stands by something,” Dunlap said. “Purely because it is the right thing to do.” Back