Posted 5:17 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012
Although he graduated in May 2012 and is now living half a world away, Yutong Bo participated in the annual campus 5K run/walk in spirit — running on a track in his hometown in China.
[caption id="attachment_17675" align="alignleft" width="400" caption="Yutong Bo earned an undergraduate degree from Inner Mongolia Normal University in 2007 and his master’s in recreational management from UW-L in May 2012. Pictured here he runs the Turkey Trot in spirit at the high school track at his hometown in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China."]
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In his hometown in China, UW-L alum Yutong Bo jogged the circle of his old high school track. Decked in his UW-L Turkey Trot bib and T-shirt mailed from his alma mater in the United States, he counted the miles as he made laps. Although he graduated from UW-L in May 2012 and is now living half a world away, he was participating in the annual campus 5K run/walk in spirit.
“I will always love UW-L no matter where I am,” notes Bo. “UW-L and the REC are my second home.”
The Turkey Trot Coast 2 Coast was a new addition to the 18th Annual Turkey Trot. It was a great option for UW-L alums — some now living and working in other parts of the United States or world. They signed up online, were mailed a Turkey Trot bib and shirt, and then participated by running, walking or working out on Nov. 17 — the day of the campus Turkey Trot. About 2,400 people participated the 5K and Jr. Gobbler races, including about 300 UW-L alums. A total of 14 joined the Coast 2 Coast race, according to Erin Thacker, event coordinator.
For Bo, running the Turkey Trot in China was reminiscent of year’s past when he volunteered at the annual run that made its course through the La Crosse River Marsh with a start and end at the Veterans Memorial Field Sports Complex. In 2010, he was Flash, the official Turkey Trot mascot. With the large eagle mascot head in place, he was a hit — slapping high fives, cheering racers to the finish and posing with runners for photos afterward.
[caption id="attachment_17678" align="alignright" width="348" caption="Yutong Bo on the track at his high school in China."]
[/caption]“Especially when people were getting to the finish line, I was so excited to see them,” he says. “I felt so proud of them no matter if they ran or walked.”
He volunteered again for the race in 2011. When racers came to the Recreational Eagle Center to pick up their medals, he felt like a winner too.
Running on the track back in China he was connecting to those UW-L memories in spirit — letting them live on as his life takes a new course back home in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China.
“UW-L is always an important piece in my life. Without this piece — my life isn't complete,” says Bo. “There are so many good memories there. I want these good memories to continue growing in many ways.”
He hopes his participation encourages others to do the same in future years to “spread the UW-L spirit everywhere.”
Proceeds from this year’s race will go to three organizations:
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In his hometown in China, UW-L alum Yutong Bo jogged the circle of his old high school track. Decked in his UW-L Turkey Trot bib and T-shirt mailed from his alma mater in the United States, he counted the miles as he made laps. Although he graduated from UW-L in May 2012 and is now living half a world away, he was participating in the annual campus 5K run/walk in spirit.
“I will always love UW-L no matter where I am,” notes Bo. “UW-L and the REC are my second home.”
The Turkey Trot Coast 2 Coast was a new addition to the 18th Annual Turkey Trot. It was a great option for UW-L alums — some now living and working in other parts of the United States or world. They signed up online, were mailed a Turkey Trot bib and shirt, and then participated by running, walking or working out on Nov. 17 — the day of the campus Turkey Trot. About 2,400 people participated the 5K and Jr. Gobbler races, including about 300 UW-L alums. A total of 14 joined the Coast 2 Coast race, according to Erin Thacker, event coordinator.
For Bo, running the Turkey Trot in China was reminiscent of year’s past when he volunteered at the annual run that made its course through the La Crosse River Marsh with a start and end at the Veterans Memorial Field Sports Complex. In 2010, he was Flash, the official Turkey Trot mascot. With the large eagle mascot head in place, he was a hit — slapping high fives, cheering racers to the finish and posing with runners for photos afterward.
[caption id="attachment_17678" align="alignright" width="348" caption="Yutong Bo on the track at his high school in China."][/caption]“Especially when people were getting to the finish line, I was so excited to see them,” he says. “I felt so proud of them no matter if they ran or walked.”
He volunteered again for the race in 2011. When racers came to the Recreational Eagle Center to pick up their medals, he felt like a winner too.
Running on the track back in China he was connecting to those UW-L memories in spirit — letting them live on as his life takes a new course back home in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China.
“UW-L is always an important piece in my life. Without this piece — my life isn't complete,” says Bo. “There are so many good memories there. I want these good memories to continue growing in many ways.”
He hopes his participation encourages others to do the same in future years to “spread the UW-L spirit everywhere.”
Proceeds from this year’s race will go to three organizations:
- A community beneficiary:Bump in the Road program, part of the Hope Lives Foundation
- UW-L Multicultural Student Scholarship Program
- UW-L Rec Sports for student/staff development