EDGE Run set for another go on Nov. 2
- Details
- Published on Thursday, 04 September 2014 17:29
- Written by Paul Gordon
When Methodist College’s Student Government Association started the EDGE Run/Walk last year, it hoped it would become an event that would help the school’s nursing students needing financial aid as well as put the college more in the eye of the general public.
With 330 participants in that first run last November, an event that raised $10,000, it appears the mission was accomplished.
The 2nd Annual EDGE Run/Walk will be Sunday, Nov. 2 at 8 a.m. Registration is now open for the event, which includes a 10K and a 5K run, a 5K walk and, new this year, a race for children, said Colleen Karn, the race director and an instructor at Methodist College. The registration fee is $35 until Oct. 14; it goes to $40 up to and including race day. Methodist college students get a $10 discount.
“We definitely believe last year was a success. We got 330 participants, which for a first-time event was tremendous. We think it will only grow from there,” Karn said.
One reason for that expectation is that the race is listed on more social media sites than before but also on several regional and national race calendars. The race course will be similar to that of a year ago, with the start and finish at Methodist College and using streets in the downtown area. The final course design is awaiting approval, Karn said.
The race will be timed by chips imbedded in the bibs each participant will wear. The bibs will be in the packet that participants can pick up between noon and 6 p.m. on Nov. 1 at Running Central in downtown Peoria or from 7 to 7:45 a.m. the day of the run.
The chips are important, Karn said, because the winner and other top finishers will be determined by the time registered on those chips rather than by who crosses the finish line first.
“I believe that’s the most fair way of doing it. It should be the exact time each person runs, in case somebody gets caught in the middle of the pack at the start but ends up with the best overall time,” she said. “I really doubt it will be a problem, because the most competitive people will no doubt make sure they are at or very close to the front at the start, anyway.”
After the run there will be medals presented to the top three finishers in each of 11 age groups, starting with 10 and under and continuing in five-year intervals to 55 and older. Trophies will be presented to the top Overall Female 5K, Overall Male 5K, Overall Female 10K, and Overall Female 10K.
While there will be serious runners participating, Karn said Methodist College wants the event to be a fun, family-oriented one. There will be food after the run and the opportunity for comradery.
“The race is design for people to have a good time. We want it to be successful and for runners to make it part of their calendar but we also have to always remember why we are doing it,” Karn said.
EDGE stands for Everyone Deserves Good Education and Karn said that perhaps 90 percent of the students at Methodist College need financial aid, she said the money raised from the participation fees are key to helping students stay in school and filling the growing need for nurses.
“It also benefits Methodist College in that it helps us really become a part of the Peoria community. That is important to us, that people know we are here,” she said.
Sponsors also are needed to help defray costs, which includes hoodies given to participants who register before Oct. 14. And the Student Government Association is seeking sponsors for individual student participants for $30 each.
The Gold Sponsor for the event this year is Lincoln Office and the Silver Sponsor is CEFCU. Additional sponsors to date are Mike Murphy Ford, Costco, Pepsi America and S. Graphix Studio.
Volunteer opportunities also are available.
Those who want to be a sponsor should contact Richole Ogburn at rogburn@methodistcol.edu or 309-672-5740.
