Hundreds of police officers, nuns, zombies and other strange characters ran down Riverside Avenue Friday afternoon pushing wheeled beds while students watched.
This year 66 teams of costumed students showed up to compete in the 26th annual Homecoming Bed Races, Homecoming Steering Committee publicity chairwoman, Christine Lindner, said.
"I think the teams have great spirit, high energy and great costumes this year," she said. "Everything is going well; we are having fun."
Riverside was blocked off for about three hours as approximately 1,400 people crowded the sidewalks to watch, Matt Bare, Homecoming Steering Committee general chairman said.
Teams competed in four categories; fraternity, sorority, residence hall and independent group.
Delta Gamma Iota fraternity was the overall winner. It covered the 50-meter course in 11.6 seconds.
The National Student Speech Language and Hearing Association dressed as nuns and an exorcist and won the best costume award.
Angelia Zielke, residence hall director of Woodworth Complex, said she was impressed with the nun costumes.
"I've done this every year," she said. "It's always fun to see teams dress up and to see their ideas."
Some people participated in the bed races for the first time.
Freshman Jon Broyles and senior David Gullett, who competed for the Exercise Science Club, were two first-timers.
"This is fun," Gullett said. "I like to be involved in some things during the year, this seemed like a good way."
Freshman Nicole Mazzola said she spent about two hours preparing her costume. Mazzola and her teammates dressed as bloody nurses with an even bloodier patient.
For others, like senior Leroy Jenkins, this was their last bed race competition.
"It's really emotional," Jenkins said jokingly. "This is my third race and it's been fun every year."
The event was sponsored by The Pita Pit, Papa John's Pizza and Taco Bell, all of whom provided free food, Bare said. WLVC-FM provided radio coverage, he said.
"This was another amazing event," Bare said. "Students showed up to show their support and they had a great time."
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