Students and parents brave rain to ‘Run for a Reason’
Students came out to the Panther Trail and participated in EIU Run for a Reason on Saturday.
Run for a Reason is an event sponsored by the American Red Cross and EIU New Student Programs. The proceeds benefit the Red Cross local disaster relief fund.
“Run for a Reason is a fun event for a great cause,” said Kimberlie Moock, director for New Student Programs.
The participating runners and walkers didn’t get the weather they hoped for. It was a cold and wet Saturday morning.
“There are more walkers than runners for this event, but every person helps to make this event possible and continue,” Moock said.
Cale Sternbenz, a junior physical education major, ran cross country in high school and heard about Run for a Reason from his parents.
“My parents heard about Run for a Reason on a letter for the Family Weekend events, and I decided to do it,” Sternbenz said.
Some students who participated in Run for a Reason heard about the event from a friend or family member, but others found out a different way.
Tyler Whitfield, a junior kinesiology major, woke up Saturday morning and did his daily workout routine and wondered why so many people were on the Panther Trail, especially with the weather.
“I saw the runners and jogged over to the pavilion. I talked to some of the participants and decided to sign up and help the cause. It was a blast,” Whitfield said.
Despite the weather, there was a decent turnout. There were more walkers than runners, but the students participating did not care about the prizes.
“This event is for a great cause and running is a hobby of mine. I’m also training for a half marathon at the end of October,” said Justin Gross, a senior special education major.
Many of the participants were new to EIU Run for a Reason, but for a couple participants, this was not the case.
Emily Van Ostran, a sophomore geography major, and her mother Bonnie walked the event last year, too.
“A flyer for Family Weekend was sent to the house, and we decided to walk the event together again this year,” Van Ostran said.
EIU Run for a Reason brought students and family members together. Run for a Reason helped raise money for a great cause.
Michael Rosinia can be reached at 581-7942 or marosinia@eiu.edu.
Students and parents brave rain to ‘Run for a Reason’
A group of Run for a Reason participants listen to Valerie Karr, manager of the Red Cross in Charleston, as she gives directions before the start of the race Saturday morning. (Sam Bohne
