Harvard Team Places First at Brian Honan 5K

Hundreds of Harvard students and faculty members ran together Sunday afternoon—not to class or the library—but as participants in the 13th annual Brian Honan 5K Run/Walk.

The three-mile race, which took place in Allston, celebrates the legacy of Brian J. Honan, a former Boston city councilor representing Allston and Brighton, who passed away in 2002 after a battle with cancer.

Honan’s brother, Massachusetts state representative Kevin G. Honan, said the race was “a huge success.”

“It’s a wonderful way to keep my brother Brian’s memory alive, and we’re very grateful to everyone who participates and comes and runs and walks,” he said. “It’s a real partnership between long-term residents from the neighborhood, newer people, and college students.”

Harvard, which sent 205 registered runners out of approximately 1,300 total, finished first among registered teams, with many top-10 finishers. With 54 runners, the Harvard Business School cohort finished third overall. With top finishers, Harvard won the Brian J. Honan Cup overall for the 13th year in a row, according to Kevin Honan.

Proceeds from the race will go to the Brian J. Honan Charitable Fund to continue the late Honan’s dedication to education, housing, and healthcare for local communities, Kevin Honan said.

The streets surrounding the course were packed with residents who cheered runners on and vendors who used the event as an opportunity to promote their products. The Allston Village Street Fair took place near the race as well, adding to the lively environment.

Attendees included Boston’s Mayor Martin J. Walsh and Boston Police Commissioner William B. Evans.

Harvard participants ranged from first-time 5K runners to members of the Harvard College Running Club and Harvard College Marathon Challenge.

Harvard’s Public Affairs and Communications Office paid for Harvard students’ and employees’ registration fees as a way to help support the cause.

“Brian Honan was a great advocate and friend to both Harvard and the Allston-Brighton community and we are proud to continue to help honor his extraordinary legacy,” Brigid O’Rourke, a Harvard spokesperson, wrote in an emailed statement.

Michael S. Kincaid, an economics student in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, finished fourth overall. He said that participating in running activities at Harvard has been a great way to meet people and have time away from problem sets.

Ryan E. Ixtlahuac ’20, who finished third in the race, agreed.

“It was just really cool to see the community come together to run for somebody and it was fun to race,” he said.