Charity races on campus much more common this year

Dorfman was cheered on at the finish line by Ida Posner ’12 and Rebecca Scharfstein ’12, who helped plan the run after the CJL held a similar event two years ago. They said that more than $1,100 was raised for Save a Child’s Heart, an Israeli charity.

With roughly 50 participants, it was the fourth 5K on campus this semester, following the Butler/Wilson 5K, the Collegians for the Cure 5K and the Anatomy of a Survivor 5K Fun Run, which all took place during the first month of classes.

Though there were only six 5Ks on campus last year, there are already twice as many planned for the 2010-11 academic year. Scott Breunig GS, a residential graduate student in Butler College who coordinated the Butler/Wilson 5Ks both this year and last year, said that “it seems like there’s almost one [run] a week.”

Estimates for the cost of organizing a “no-frills” race range from $500 to $1000 but can be significantly greater if refreshments, T-shirts and prizes are offered, according to several people who have helped plan 5Ks on campus.

The CJL, for example, spent $2,600 on its 5K, providing participants with pre-race snacks and water as well as brunch at the CJL following the run. The run also featured official time keepers.

Local businesses often donate gift cards or other items as prizes, as was the case in the Butler/Wilson 5K on Sept. 18, which drew prize contributions from Starbucks, The Bent Spoon and Masala Grill.

5Ks generally request a small donation from participants. The Butler/Wilson 5K accepted both money and non-perishable food goods for its effort to support the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen.

An average of 50 to 200 people register for each 5K on campus, according to David Leach, who helps coordinate campus runs as associate director of athletics for Campus Recreation.

The large variability in that figure and the fundraising success of 5Ks depend largely on good weather, publicity and timing. In fact, it is not unusual for the cost of holding the event to exceed the amount of money brought in for the cause.

Last month’s Butler/Wilson 5K, which was advertised by posters and word of mouth, raised about $2,200 for the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, but expenses for the race were $2,600. In contrast, the Anatomy of a Survivor race on Oct. 9 raised about $380 for the American Cancer Society.

Regardless of the financial success of the runs, however, many students said they view the them as a good way to complement their interest in fitness.

Sean Sketch ’12, who has won five 5Ks on campus or in the Princeton area, said that the races allow runners to “race themselves.”

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Cody Abbey ’14 and Lawrence Chang ’14, who have each run in two 5Ks this year, both said that they participate so they can channel their enjoyment of running into supporting good causes.

Similarly, Ivan Camponogara ’13 said he uses 5Ks as a way to support charity as he settles into an exercise routine.

Event organizers offered several theories for the increase in 5Ks this year.

Leach said the events have become more popular because “5Ks are relatively easy to administer, appeal to an active student body and are a good fundraising event.”

Breunig offered another possibility, noting that 5K T-shirts “seem to be a universal currency on campus.”