CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- “It’s not a race as long as I’m first,” joked University of Virginia President Jim Ryan ahead of his weekly Run with Jim.

Students, faculty, staff, and members of the Charlottesville community gathered outside Madison Hall for a four-mile run around Grounds.

The loop takes participants through UVA favorite spots like Scott Stadium, the John Paul Jones Arena, and meets back at Madison Hall, with Bodo’s Bagels. 

"I think running is a great way to bring people together, as is getting up early in the morning. So, I think it builds a lot of comradery,” added Ryan. 

This Run with Jim gives people the opportunity to meet Ryan in a casual setting and have a relaxed conversation with him, doing his favorite activity.

“Well for me, it’s a great chance to catch up with students I might not otherwise meet. It’s a pretty good cross-section of students that come out, I mean they obviously have to be willing to get up early in the morning and run, but it’s a great way to check in, see how they’re doing, and what the mood on Grounds is,” said Ryan. 

Something that began as a simple social media post of Ryan saying he was going for a run, has led into a Thursday morning core memory students and Charlottesville residents will always remember.

If you'd like to join Ryan on one of his runs, visit here for updated dates.