As the sun set on Wednesday evening, the USC Village turf remained illuminated in reddish hues from the Nike After Dark tour bus. The bright orange double-decker was flanked by speakers, blaring bass-heavy remixes of popular songs as curated by BAMBII, the afterparty DJ. Students lined up along the turf, waiting for the event to open, braving the cold in their athletic gear and preparing for their 5K run. 

“I hope to just [have] some fun, make some friends,” said Mussie Yimer, a freshman majoring in electrical and computer engineering. “I usually go and run by myself but it’s always more fun running with groups.”

The event promoted the After Dark Tour, a women’s race series by Nike that features half-marathons in six cities: Sydney, Shanghai, Seoul, Mumbai, Mexico City and Los Angeles.

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The After Dark Tour half-marathon is open to anyone who can run a 15-minute-per-mile pace, with an ultimate goal of 13.1 miles. 

The event was emceed by Louise Hazel, an English Olympian attached to the tour. She warmed up the crowd with the help of Nike trainer Samantha Dirks; Simone Jackson, a senior on the women’s soccer team majoring in entrepreneurship and innovation as well as business of cinematic arts; and Amari Avery, a professional golfer and a former member of the USC women’s golf team. 

Hazel announced that the first 40 runners to complete the race would receive a free pair of Nike Vomero 18s. With that, the runners were led in stretching and brief exercises before being divided into groups and beginning the 5K.

Mike Munson, associate director of Recreational Sports, said the event was “one of the bigger ones” they’ve done with Nike. He said the University hoped for high student engagement and to connect people with active lifestyles.

“[It’s] mostly about engagement, connecting with friends, being able to give them a wow factor,” Munson said.

One after another, the runners came barreling back through the USC Village western gate. The emcee cheered them on as they filed back into the venue while runners collected refreshments from a cooler and wristbands to qualify them for their new shoes or sweatshirts. The new champions collected their Vomeros from the tour bus, while others danced on the turf or took commemorative pictures at the photo booths. 

The After Dark Tour will be held at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on June 7 at 6:30 p.m., and registration is open now. When asked if he would participate again, Ben Llados, a sophomore majoring in business administration, said “100 percent.”

Abdelaziz Abdelrhman, a senior majoring in electrical and computer engineering as well as pursuing a Master of Science in computer engineering, said the race made him feel “alive,” and he hoped USC hosted another event like this.

“[I’m here for] the exercise,” said Abdelrham, “and the merch.”