Rider 5K Walk/Run for Women's Athletics a Success
The 6th Annual 5K Walk/Run for Women's Athletics took place on the campus of Rider University on Saturday, June 9 during the Reunion Weekend festivities. Over 300 walkers and runners took to the streets on campus in an effort to raise funds for Rider's female student-athletes who participate in the Department of Athletics' 10 NCAA Division I women's sports as well as the cheerleading team.
"The event continues to grow and be successful annually and this year we had a record number of participants which almost doubled last year's numbers," said Karin Torchia, Rider's associate director of athletics and senior women's administrator. "This initiative began as an idea that Don Harnum, Rider's director of athletics, had because we wanted to find a way to bolster the budgets of our women's programs since they don't seem to traditionally have the same inherent booster support as some of our men's sports."
Torchia continued in saying that the Walk/Run enjoyed great synergy with the Reunion Weekend activities coordinated by Rider's Alumni Relations staff. "Many alums who were coming for Reunion Weekend also signed up for the Walk/Run and others who came just to participate in the Walk/Run ended up staying for the barbecue that was taking place on the campus mall at the conclusion of the race. We also had great support from the local community which included a number of young girls and their parents from a running group called Girls on the Run."
The event began with registration at 9:15 a.m. in front of Alumni Gym which was followed by the actual 5K Walk/Run at 10:30 a.m. The course took participants around the Campus Mall in front of Alumni Gym and then on a looping, entirely on-campus trek that extended behind the Maurer Center before returning them to the Campus Mall for the finish.
In addition, the 5K Walk/Run continued with the initiative started four years ago to be part of the "Broncs Go Green" sustainability program. The Sustainability Committee graciously donated reusable Broncs Go Green logo water bottles that were filled, chilled and given out the participants as they crossed the finish line. All participants were also given an organic commemorative t-shirt at registration and the cost of the shirts was partially funded by the Sustainability Committee as well. "We've received a lot of positive comments for our efforts to 'Go Green' at this event over the last couple of years and we wanted to continue with our commitment to protect the environment," Torchia said. "Through the funds donated by the Sustainability Committee we were able to expand on our efforts to make the event sustainable."
This year's top three finishers in the Rider student-athlete running category were: Sean Donohue (16:58), Megan Elgin (18:55) and Anton Pokras (19:03). The top three finishers in the adult running category (13 and older, non Rider student-athletes) were: David South (17:42), Matthew Jackson (20:18) and Ethan Duer (20:22). The top three finishers in the 12 & under running category were: James Jackson (23:34), James Clarkson (23:48) and Eli Wasserman (24:16). The top three finishers in the walking category were: Boris Kotler (36:31), Dan Hussong (43:22) and Jennifer Bartsch (45:35).
For next year's 5K, additional categories will be added to separate out the top three men and women in each category for the runners including boys and girls for the 12 & under category.
Complete results for all walkers and runners can be found by clicking the link above.
