CNU's annual tradition of a "Team 5k" began has its origins in 2012, when injured seniors Will Kirk and Corey Lofton wanted to run one final race in the Captains' uniform. As they ran a conservative pace and finished well behind their teammates, Sophomore Aaron Zook turned around following the conclusion of his first sub-16 race to finish with the pair. The teamwork spawned a tradition that would only get bigger and better.

The following year, Eric Ginsburg was trying to break 17:00, so the team decided to rally around their teammate. After a couple teammates were designated as pacers to help Ginsburg, others asked to join the fray. The "Team 5k" began in earnest in 2013 at this selfless request to help others. Ginsburg would fall just short at 17:03 in that first year, and seven Captains would finish under 16:30.

In 2014, the team had been talking about the "Team 5k" as early as cross country season. It officially earned its name this year. The primary goal, again, was to get Ginsburg under 17:00, with a secondary goal of how many could the team could get under 16:00. Two packs set out, and ultimately Ginsburg was able to have his major breakthrough and ran 16:38. Six Captains broke 16:00 that day, with four more under 17:00.

2015 saw some very hot conditions, and the primary focus became meeting Conference Qualifying times. Only one under 16:00 and seven more under 17:00 that day.

2016 saw some great conditions, and a much improved and confident pack. The goal had continue to morph and this year's mission was to see how many guys would be under 16:00. A total of 14 men finished side-by-side (literally!) as they fanned out in lanes one-through-eight on the track.

2017 saw the first move of this tradition from the season-ending home meet in April to a meet earlier in the season. The conditions were beautiful on the March evening at William & Mary, and the Captains took advantage. Again, the goal was how many guys would end up under 16:00. The group ran 5:01-5:06 for the first two miles, then ran about 5:00 pace for the next 1k before getting the green light to race for the final 800m. JJ LaPointe got the jump on the group and ran a 65 on his penultimate lap, with a string of Captains just behind. Peyton Artz ended up kicking home in a 58 for the win, closing his final 800m in 2:03. JJ LaPointe finished with a 63 for a 2:08. A CNU record 18 men ran under 16:00.

2012 (1 under 16 / 4 more under 17)

15:55 Aaron Zook

16:15 Van Lewin

16:42 Corey Lofton

16:52 Patrick Cunningham

17:32 Eric Ginsburg

18:25 Will Kirk

2013 (1 under 16 / 8 more under 17)

15:56 Aaron Zook

16:03 Josh Showalter

16:11 Daniel Richard

16:18 Van Lewin

16:19 Brad Turner

16:21 Michael Hoy

16:24 Drew Richardson

16:35 Andrew Benfer

16:47 Scott Wright

17:03 Eric Ginsburg

2014 (6 under 16 / 4 more under 17)

15:28 JJ LaPointe

15:31 Daniel Richard

15:35 Billy Rabil

15:36 Sam Martin

15:37 Brad Turner

15:38 Aaron Zook

16:09 Charlie Pruitt

16:33 Will Bruner

16:38 Dylan Freeman

16:38 Eric Ginsburg

17:00 Zach Campbell

17:01 Ricardo Cabrera

17:40 Matthew Margopoulos

2015 (1 under 16 / 7 more under 17)

15:46 Billy Rabil

16:03 Daniel Richard

16:06 Sam Martin

16:14 Zach Campbell

16:24 Charlie Pruitt

16:38 Brad Turner

16:41 Daniel Read

16:43 Ricardo Cabrera

17:00 Will Bruner

17:08 Jim Thomson

17:54 Matt Margoplouos

2016 (14 under 16 / 2 more under 17)

15:50 Sam Murch

15:50 Grayson Reid

15:50 Matt Burke

15:50 Charlie Pruitt

15:50 Daniel Read

15:50 Billy Rabil

15:50 Peyton Artz

15:50 Nicholas Broemmel

15:50 Dane Boegner

15:50 Evan Fabish

15:50 Will Bruner

15:50 Zach Campbell

15:51 Dylan Freeman

15:51 Ricardo Cabrera

16:02 Sam LeHardy

16:27 Josh Speier

2017 (18 under 16 / 2 more under 17)

15:20 Peyton Artz (Last 800m in 2:03)

15:24 JJ LaPointe (2:08)

15:26 Daniel Read (2:10)

15:28 Billy Rabil (2:12)

15:28 Sam Murch (2:12)

15:29 Matt Burke (2:13)

15:31 Jason Putnam (2:15)

15:34 Joey Lightbody (2:18)

15:35 Andrew Benfer (2:19)

15:36 Will Bruner (2:20)

15:37 Kyle Doyle (2:21)

15:38 Dane Boegner (2:22)

15:45 Danny Cretney

15:47 Tre Edmonds

15:50 Charlie Pruitt

15:54 Sam LeHardy

15:58 Matt Hrncir

15:58 Calvin Miller

Sub-16 by year

2012 - 3 (15:24/15:55/15:56)

2013 - 2 (15:36/15:51)

2014 - 7 (15:28/15:31/15:35/15:36/15:37/15:38/15:55)

2015 - 1 (15:46)

2016 - 15 (14:44/15:13/15:19/15:25/15:38/15:41/15:50/15:50/15:50/15:50/15:50/15:50/15:50/15:51/15:51)

2017 - 18 (15:20/15:24/15:26/15:28/15:28/15:29/15:31/15:34/15:35/15:36/15:37/15:38/15:45/15:47/15:50/15:54/15:58/15:58)