Running is a common activity around campus. You see students running on their own, with friends or with a stomach full of doughnuts at the Krispy Kreme Challenge in January. But the opportunity to stop cancer will have many up and running this weekend.
Saturday the 595th detachment of the Air Force ROTC is hosting the first annual Running with the Wolves, a 5 kilometer and 10 kilometer race located on Centennial Campus. Maintenance group commander cadet Major Jared Evans said the idea of the run came about during a flight meeting.
Evans, who is a senior in mechanical engineering, talked to the cadets about any ideas that they had for the detachment. Many spoke about wanting paintings and murals and a bigger TV. Evans said he asked the cadets about how they would pay for it. One cadet had another idea.
“One of the cadets said that he had been thinking about a 5K, 10K run,” Evans said. “Those are fun. They’re a great thing, and they raise a lot of money. We just kind of ran with it. I talked to the cadres about it and got it approved.”
But there was a twist to the idea, according to Evans.
“One of the questions that we ask the participants when they register is what cancer organization or charity would they like the proceeds to go to.” Evans said. “And come race day, the charity or organization with the most nominations gets the proceeds from the event.”
Some of the most popular organizations that have been mentioned include St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, American Cancer Society, Kay Yow Foundation and the V Foundation.
Runners are able to win a number of cash prizes. The winner of the 10 kilometer run wins $300 and the winner of the 5 kilometer wins $200.
There haven’t been any major bumps in the road, according to wing commander Jimmy Matthews, a senior in psychology. Matthews, who oversees Evans work, said few issues have arisen in planning for the event.
“[Evans] briefs me on everything he’s done,” Matthews said. “I ask certain questions, I offer suggestions, monitor all the activities and make sure all the loose ends are tied up.”
Major Donald Land, who helped plan the event, said the race is a great opportunity for cadets to use their classroom leadership training for a good cause.
“They came up to me and said that they wanted to do this.” Land said. “I am whole-heartedly involved in helping them make this happen and making training and learning experience out of this.”
Land said he has tried to minimize his role in the planning the event.
“By and large, I let the cadets do as much as possible,” Land said. “This is their opportunity to learn and apply leadership. This is an opportunity to take things as far as they can. If they run into a road block with the university, I can step in on their behalf.”
