August 30, 2011

By Jessica LeMay

A 5K run hosted by the Mizzou Black Men’s initiative took participants past several Columbia landmarks. But the goal of the run itself was to fund the group’s trip to a major national landmark — Washington, D.C.

A total of 54 runners and approximately 25 volunteers gathered at 8 a.m. Saturday in front of the Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center to sign in and get instructions from run organizer and MBMI Coordinator Marcus Mayes.

Highlighted landmarks on the run’s route included Shakespeare’s Pizza and Memorial Union. The course passed through Greektown with the finish line at the BCC.

Mayes said he was hoping for a great turnout at the run so that a stable foundation might be set for future 5K runs.

“There’s no set number we plan to raise, but we’re looking at the benefit of the experience since this is the first one we’re doing,” Mayes said. “We are definitely looking to raise a few funds, though.”

MBMI must account for box office rates and same-day registration, so the exact amount of funds raised is currently unknown.

The organization intends to use the funds toward leadership development conferences, blood drives, community service and its Alternative Spring Break to Washington, D.C., in March.

In addition to the trip to D.C., MBMI will also use the funds raised to travel to Ohio State University for a planned collaboration between both the MU and Ohio State Black Men’s Initiative chapters.

MBMI scribe Jordan Williams volunteered at the race and said he has benefited personally from the event.

“Volunteering is purely for support,” Williams. “If you make any type of contribution, then it’s significant to the event.”

Williams and other volunteers stood at intersections, directed traffic and cheered on the runners along the way during the event.

Participants in the run also said that they gained personal rewards during the run.
Graduate students Jonathan Wickert and Kristina Wenzel, who typically run for recreation, said running recreationally is rewarding but it is even better to run for a cause.

“We would’ve probably already been running sometime today anyways, so it’s actually kind of cool that we can come here and do it,” Wickert said.

Both Wickert and Wenzel plan to make it an annual tradition to participate in the My 5K Fun Run.

The first runner to cross the finish line came in at 15 minutes, 49 seconds.

Unlike Wickert and Wenzel, not all participants were regular runners.

“It was hard near the two-mile mark and getting around other runners was tough, but I have friends in MBMI and I’m happy to help them out,” sophomore Kenyatta Woods said.

The event concluded with applause, high fives and even a dog crossing the finish line.

“The purpose for the 5K run is not only for fundraising, but it also promotes health and staying in shape,” Williams said. “It speaks more to getting good exercise and encouraging people to get out and get active.”

The crowd was left with an appreciative speech from Mayes and a round of applause for all the volunteers and runners.