This week, a group of Iowa State students will be running through caves in Missouri while carrying a torch. But don’t worry, it’s not as bizarre as it sounds. The runners are part of Veishea Voyage, an annual run which helps kick off ISU’s Veishea celebration.

“It’s kind of like the Olympics; it’s just a great way to get things started,” said Veishea Voyage co-chairman Brian Lindaman.

The 450-mile, five-day voyage will take the Veishea torch from the Lake of the Ozarks, Mo., to Lake Laverne. The runners will reach central campus just in time for the Veishea opening ceremonies at 5 p.m. Friday afternoon.

According to Lindaman, senior in nutritional science, nearly 70 runners will be making the trek across Missouri and Iowa this week. Some highlights of their trip will include a course through the Ozark caves and a torch hand-off during a Kansas City Royals game.

“This year, we decided we’d do something for the runners. Missouri is warmer, and it’s a little break from the monotony of Iowa scenery,” Lindaman said.

He said the course for the Veishea torch run has been entirely in Iowa in the past. Lindaman said he participated in the race before and has “never talked to anyone who has done the race and not liked it.”

He said the Veishea committee recruited runners by means of publicity in greek houses and the residence halls, as well as a promotional bin at the rec center.

Lindsay Carpp, freshman in biochemistry, said she saw the bin while she was running in the rec and decided to sign up.

She will be a first-time participant this year and will run in a group with Becki Levad, freshman in pre-landscape architecture.

Carpp said she is relieved to be running in a group because “it makes the time go so much quicker when you run with friends.”

Both Carpp and Levad ran cross-country and track in high school, and said they have been training for Voyage by running three to five miles a day.

Despite the preparation, Levad expressed concern over the required 12 miles each runner must log.

“I think it’s going to be a hell of a long way,” she said. “I’ve never run that far in my life … but at least we don’t have to do it all at once. I’m really looking forward to running into Ames on Friday.”

Lindaman said each participant runs at least four three-mile segments of the entire course, and that all runners help carry the torch into Ames during the race’s final leg. He added that many participants opt for more miles.

“Lots of people like to run 26 miles to get their marathon [in],” he said.

Carpp said one of the reasons she decided to sign up for the event was to become more involved with ISU and Veishea.

“I’m proud to be part of carrying the torch to Ames,” she said. “This type of event is really good for what they’re trying to do [with Veishea] this year.”

Lindaman said he thinks Voyage fits in with the new ideals that are going to be associated with dry Veishea.

“One of our big things for Veishea is getting people involved. People drink because they have nothing better to do, and this … gives them something to do that’s productive,” he said.

Lindaman encouraged all students to participate in the Veishea Voyage next year. “It’s not that hard. Everyone’s in it together, and the adrenaline takes you most of the way,” he said. “It’s just a great time.”