The 4K Run for Shannon McNamara will be held to raise awareness on self defense.

This is the seventh year of the Run for Shannon McNamara, who was murdered in the summer of 2001 while attending Eastern.

The Kinesiology Sports Honors Club, who wished to raise money in Shannon’s name, started the run in 2002. The money that is donated for the run goes toward a scholarship in Shannon’s name. The minimum required to donate and register for the run is $12, but people can donate more.

Megan Patterson, a senior kinesiology major, is the head of Alpha Phi sorority, which Shannon belonged to.

“All the girls who are a part of the Alpha Phi sorority will be participating and donating $12 each,” Patterson said. “This is for a great cause and registration is still open and people can even register on the day of the event.”

McNamara’s death has played a significant role in security and precautions around Eastern.

people remember McNamara as being an intelligent and involved person. She was a part of the KSS honors club and was a member of the Alpha Phi sorority.

Justin Tomaska, the head of the KSS club, remembers McNamara well.

“Shannon was a very fun loving person, she was active at Eastern,” Tomeska said. “She worked at the Students Recreation Center and everyone that remembers her there has nothing but good things to say about her.”

The run will begin at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Campus Pond and will follow the Panther Trail.

Steven Puschmann can be reached at 581-7942 or srpuschmann@eiu.edu