Ohio State football enthusiasts can demonstrate their team spirit and commitment to physical fitness by participating in the inaugural running of the Beat Michigan 5K charity race.
The event is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. Sunday in front of the south entrance of Ohio Stadium.
The OSU chapter of Tau Beta Pi, the national engineering honor society, is hosting the race.
“At the end of spring quarter, we decided a 5K run would be a good way to get OSU students involved in philanthropic service and promote Tau Beta Pi as a charitable organization,” said Andrew Browne, race co-coordinator.
He said about 80 volunteers have worked diligently to promote the race.
“Over the last week, we have distributed 18,000 fliers at football games, residence halls, fraternities and sororities,” he said.
Browne said most of the people who registered to run in the race are students, but Buckeye fans around central Ohio have signed up as well.
The proceeds of the race will benefit a local charity.
“All of the money that comes from the event will go to Neighborhood Services Incorporated,” Browne said. “That’s the primary goal of the race. We decided on NSI because they are not very well known. We wanted to represent the underrepresented.”
Cheryl Carter, executive director of NSI, said the charity was established in 1965 primarily to alleviate hunger among the homeless.
Neighborhood Services Incorporated averages 1,200 residents served each month in the OSU area. Most are in need of food, clothing and emergency financial assistance, Carter said.
The majority of the NSI workforce consists of volunteers. Ninety-five percent of the NSI budget goes to the services they provide.
“We are very appreciative of the Beat Michigan 5K committee,” Carter said. “This money will help us meet the increasing need to provide food for people in the OSU area during the holidays.”
Jonathan Linczak, registration coordinator, said he originally estimated the race would gather a maximum of 300 contestants. However, 800 runners could sign up by Sunday if the registration pace continues, he said.
Linczak said the race is considered a “fun run” because participants can choose to either run or walk.
Awards will be granted to the top male and female finishers and the first and second place team finishers. In addition, race numbers of contestants who are not top finishers will be drawn at random to award prizes ranging from DVD players to loaves of bread.
The individual registration fee is $12. Teams can enter for $60. Contestants can register online at www.osu.edu/students/tbp/race.html until midnight the night before the race.
Late registrations will be accepted for $15, payable in cash or by check, beginning at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday. The first 500 applicants will receive a free shirt.
