The EIU New Student Programs and the American Red Cross have teamed up once again to host the fourth annual Run for a Reason: Run Red race.

This race will be held during family weekend on Oct. 2 at the Panther Trail near Campus Pond.

Check-in will be at 8:30 a.m. with the race starting at 9:15 a.m.

The minimum donation to run is $25 and is not due until the day of the race.

Students may participate in two different ways: individually or by representing a student organization.

Walk-ins are welcome.

Prizes will be awarded for the most participants in an organization and for the most money donated.

Sam Noblit, a graduate student majoring in college affairs, is a staff member for the EIU New Student Programs.

Sam cannot run the race because she is a staff member, but she encourages others to.

“The turnout in the past has been decent and has consisted mainly of community members,” Noblit said. “We would like to see more students get involved.”

There are currently 58 participants signed up, 18 of who are students.

All proceeds go to a local disaster relief fund that helps families who have experienced tragedy by house fires, floods and other disasters.

Aaron Wiessing, a junior management major, is also a staff member for New Student Programs.

“The relief fund helps out if anything were to happen on campus,” Wiessing said.

He said students should participate because it is a good way for them to give back to the community.

Participants can expect to have a good time during the race.

“We have a few tricks up our sleeve to make it more fun,” Wiessing said.

There are incentives for participating.

Participants will receive a t-shirt, water bottle and a bag of other items.

Ben Poznic, a freshman biological science major, plans to run the race on Saturday.

“I like to run, and I get a t-shirt,” Poznic said.

Poznic hopes that it will be a fun time.

“I plan to run it with my brother and his friend,” Poznic said.

Erin Riedl can be reached

at 581-7942 or edriedl@eiu.edu