Image courtesy Washburn University
The Sunflower Striders Running Club, in partnership with the Washburn University Foundation & Alumni Association and the College of Arts & Sciences, will host the 17th annual “Labor Your Legs Fun Run and Walk” on Labor Day, Sept. 1, at Washburn University. The free event begins at 8 a.m. at the Student Recreation & Wellness Center (SRWC), 1726 SW Durow Drive. Check-in starts at 7:30 a.m. The route winds northeast and circles the campus, finishing back at the SRWC, with a clock available for timing. Light refreshments will be provided afterward.
Participants unable to attend in person can join virtually, submitting their times via the registration website for up to a week after the event. Registration is available at runsignup.com/Race/KS/Topeka/The16thAnnualLaborYourLegs.
This year’s run/walk honors the late Washburn University Professor Dave Provorse and his wife, Marcia, who inspired others to prioritize health and wellness. Donations will fund a memorial statue on Topeka’s Shunga Trail and support the Provorse Educational Fund, which provides scholarships for graduate psychology students.
Dr. Dave Provorse served nearly 34 years at Washburn, earning the Ned Fleming Teaching Award, training hundreds of students, and chairing more than 60 master’s theses. He taught marathon training for 23 years and supported student-athletes across multiple sports. The Provorses were tragically killed in a car crash on Dec. 20, 2024, but their legacy continues to impact the university and community.
