
College of Applied & Natural Sciences: A Run for Research is a running race on October 24, 2026 in Ruston, LA, featuring the 5K distance, with an entry fee of $25.
From the Organizer
Join us for an exciting 5K run during Louisiana Tech's homecoming weekend and help support groundbreaking research and transformative educational experiences for students in the College of Applied and Natural Sciences! Your participation helps to support innovative student research initiatives, contribute to service-learning programs and celebrate what it means to have a Louisiana Tech educational experience.
Whether you're a seasoned runner, walking in support of student success, or just want a t-shirt, your participation matters. Together, we can empower the next generation of scientists, researchers, and innovators.
7:00AM- Packet pickup and race day registration opens
7:45 AM- Packet pickup and race day registration closes
8:00 AM- 5K Run/Walk begin with awards to follow
Stick around after the run to visit with our student organizations and learn more about our academic programs, research, and community projects.
Age group awards for the 5k: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place will be awarded for overall male and female and age groups for males and females as follows: 9 & under, 10-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49,50-59, 60-69, 70+.
We are seeking sponsors who believe, as we do, that education is most powerful when it connects knowledge to real-world impact. Through five academic units, 12 undergraduate programs, seven graduate programs, and countless interdisciplinary collaborations across campus, the region, and the nation, CANS empowers students and faculty to tackle today’s enduring and emerging local and global challenges. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor contact Penny Humphries.
Events
Weather
It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.
Typical High
75°
Typical Low
50°
Chance of Rain
27%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Ruston La Tech, 3 mi from the venue.
Host City
Population
22,224
as of 2023
City Elevation
236 ft
Nearest Airport
MLU
Monroe Regional Airport · 36 mi
Time Zone
Central Time
From Endurance Grid
A mid-size host city. Enough lodging and amenities to keep race weekend easy, without big-city sprawl.
Race Location
Approximate location — pin shows the host city, not the exact venue.
Your Next Start Line
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at College of Applied & Natural Sciences: A Run for Research, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
116
Days to train
Coming Up
Fit Time 365 Nutrition Firecracker 5K Run/Walk
31 miles away
2026 Louisiana Watermelon Festival 5k
21 miles away
Liberty Ruck & 5k
2 miles away
Breacher 5k
2 miles away
From Endurance Grid
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it’s the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer’s event page.
With running, there's a distance for every fitness level, a community at every start line, and nothing beats the feeling of crossing a finish line you trained for.
Running is an endurance sport that rewards consistency, and showing up every week compounds in ways that will surprise you.
From 5K to marathon, running races are an accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
College of Applied & Natural Sciences: A Run for Research
Oct 24, 2026