Walmart-sponsored FAMU homecoming 5K, partners with Gunna’s Wunna Run Club, draws more than 850 participants

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — More than 850 runners gathered outside Florida A&M University's Bragg Memorial Stadium on Thursday, Oct. 22, for the fifth annual Walmart-sponsored Homecoming 5K Run/Walk, featuring a special collaboration with Atlanta rapper Gunna's Wunna Run Club.

Atlanta rapper Gunna stands in front of a crowd of enthusiastic runners and supporters during the fifth annual Walmart-sponsored FAMU Homecoming 5K Run/Walk on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026, at Bragg Memorial Stadium. (Photo courtesy of Jeff Adams.)

The event brought students, alumni and community members together for a morning of fitness and fellowship while highlighting a $10,000 scholarship commitment from Walmart and Wunna Run Club. Five FAMU students pursuing majors with a health-related component will each receive $2,000 to support their education. Details on how students can apply will be shared at a later date.

Walmart provided a variety of refreshments, including fresh fruit and snacks, for participants at the fifth annual FAMU Homecoming 5K Run/Walk on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026, supporting the event's focus on health, wellness and community engagement. (Photo courtesy of Jeff Adams.)

The annual run/walk has become a growing Homecoming tradition, drawing hundreds of participants each year. This year's collaboration with Wunna Run Club brought additional excitement, with organizers said this year’s event drew the most  registrations in the event's five-year history.

Regine Moore, director of constituent relations, corporate affairs for Walmart and a FAMU alumna, said the company's continued involvement reflects its commitment to promoting healthier communities and building meaningful relationships.

Participants gather beneath the starting arch at Bragg Memorial Stadium for the Wunna Run Club 5K during FAMU’s 2026 Homecoming celebration. (Photo courtesy of Jeff Adams.)

"What has made this sponsorship so meaningful is that it's never been about just sponsoring a race — it's about showing up consistently for a community we genuinely value," Moore said. "Over the past five years, we've built this collaboration on shared beliefs: that health should be accessible, wellness should be celebrated, and trusted relationships are created through action, not words."

Moore said the collaboration with Wunna Run Club was a natural extension of Walmart's efforts to encourage healthy lifestyles. Gunna launched Wunna Run with an inaugural 5K at Brooklyn's Prospect Park, drawing more than 1,000 participants.

"I think as young people, sometimes we feel as though we're invincible, and we need to understand that taking care of ourselves now will help us live longer, healthier, be more successful in the future," Moore said.

Mister FAMU Evan Lesure won the men's overall division, marking his second victory at the university's annual Homecoming race. He previously won in 2024 as a sophomore. Jillian Salmon earned first place in the women's overall division.

Mister FAMU Evan Lesure (left), the first-place male finisher of the 2026 FAMU Homecoming 5K, poses with Atlanta rapper Gunna (right) while displaying Wunna Run Club merchandise during the fifth annual Walmart-sponsored event on Thursday, Oct. 22, at Bragg Memorial Stadium. (Photo courtesy of Jeff Adams.)

"Finishing first in the FAMU 5K as Mister FAMU was an amazing feeling," Lesure said. "To be able to be a senior and round out my time at FAMU, I was honestly hit by a rush of emotions."

Lesure said winning the 5K reflected the dedication and commitment to service he developed as Mister FAMU and through FAMU’s Army ROTC program.

He also emphasized how events like the 5K bring together generations of Rattlers while encouraging students to establish healthy habits.

"Seeing the cross-generation rattlers enjoying themselves while focusing on an event that tackles health and wellness is so important," Lesure said.

A cyclist dressed in FAMU orange and green poses with his bicycle during the fifth annual Walmart-sponsored FAMU Homecoming 5K Run/Walk on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026, near Bragg Memorial Stadium. (Photo courtesy of Jeff Adams.)

For FAMU alumna Dedra Mitchell, a 2002 graduate of the School of Business and Industry, participating in the race was an opportunity to celebrate Homecoming and connection.

Mitchell, who has been involved with Black Girls Run for more than a decade, returned to campus 30 years after enrolling in FAMU  in 1996.

"I'm a graduate. It's Homecoming, and I know I'm going to see my soul sisters," Mitchell said, referring to fellow members of her running community.

“Black Girls Run, a national organization, encourages Black women to embrace fitness and healthy living. Mitchell said it welcomes participants of varying experience levels, from first-time 5K runners to marathoners.”

Booka, an artist and repertoire (A&R) representative, clothing designer and founder of the brand Etomic, said the event provided an opportunity to connect with the FAMU community while promoting health and wellness.

"We big on this fitness and stuff. So this is really important for us," Booka said. "And then we get to connect with our people, connect with our fans."

Members of Black Girls Run pose together during the fifth annual Walmart-sponsored FAMU Homecoming 5K Run/Walk on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026, at Bragg Memorial Stadium. The group joined hundreds of participants in celebrating fitness, fellowship and community wellness. (Photo courtesy of Jeff Adams.)

For Moore, the long-term impact of the event will be measured not only by participation but also by the healthy habits it inspires.

 

Participants proudly display their medals following the fifth annual Walmart-sponsored FAMU Homecoming 5K Run/Walk on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026, at Bragg Memorial Stadium. The event, held in collaboration with Gunna's Wunna Run Club, brought together more than 850 runners to promote health, wellness and community engagement. (Photo courtesy of Jeff Adams.)

"My hope is that even just one person changing their routine and behavior to live healthier is a win in terms of Walmart being here," she said.

2026 FAMU Homecoming 5K Race Results

In addition to the overall winners, the event recognized top finishers across several age groups and organizational divisions.

Overall Winners

• First Place Male: Evan Lesure
• First Place Female: Jillian Salmon

Ages 18 to 28

1. Antonio George
2. Allajah Navarro
3. Ashton Williams

Ages 29 to 39

1. Riquel Jackson
2. Calvin Davis
3. Jerrell Williams

Ages 40 to 50

1. Kendall Saint
2. John Williams
3. Money Monroe

Ages 51 and Older

1. Eli Patrick
2. Kimberly Rivers
3. AJ Brickler

Faculty and Staff

1. Xavier Smith
2. Michael LaBossiere
3. Brittany Boykins

Community Organization 

1. Darrel Gradison - RippinxRunning
2. Demetricia Draggs - RippinxRunning
3. Jacquos Hayes - RippinxRunning

Student Organization

1. Derlyson Fontaine -Groove Phi Groove Social Fellowship
2. Amarie Moore
3. Cory Ward - Kemetic Mathematical Society

Two participants celebrate completing the fifth annual Walmart-sponsored FAMU Homecoming 5K Run/Walk by showing off their medals and posing for a selfie outside Bragg Memorial Stadium on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Jeff Adams.)

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Media Contact:

Ashley Flete
Senior Communications Specialist 
ashley1.flete@famu.edu 

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