A 30-year Veishea tradition was continued Monday when six residents of Pearson House in Friley Hall braved the cold and wind to deliver an official invitation to Gov. Branstad.

Members of Pearson House have carried an official Veishea invitation to the governor since 1967. This year the runners faced a 20-mph headwind and a 25-degree temperature.

“It’s a tradition. Everybody’s done it before us. We just kept it up,” Wes Klingaman, a freshman in mechanical engineering, said.

The six men started early Monday morning after a meeting with ISU President Martin Jischke and ran along U.S. Highway 69 to Des Moines. They met with Branstad on the steps of the Capitol immediately after noon.

“We were there a little early, so we had to wait for him. Then he came out and shook all our hands and we left,” Patrick Ferdig, a sophomore in computer engineering, said.

The runners included Ferdig; Klingaman; C.J. Lansing, a freshman in mechanical engineering; Eric Mottet, a freshman in industrial engineering; Dave Reinke, an undecided junior; and Erik Sittig, a freshman in agricultural business.

Patrick Millen, resident assistant for Pearson House, said the run is what distinguishes Pearson House.

“It’s got a big purpose. We had the opportunity to meet the governor and see the government,” Millen said.

Although they began planning weeks in advance, they had trouble getting enough people from the house to run, said House President Jeff Wold. Monday was a big day for tests and homework, and they just couldn’t get people to volunteer, he said.

“Our biggest problem was that we didn’t take enough guys,” Ferdig said.

The runners received a donation of lemonade from McDonald’s and also received funding from the Union Drive Association to make the trip.