MBU News

Helping Others by Running

November 15, 2007

By Jessica Bledsoe

Graduate Studies sponsored its first 5k run as part of Homecoming week at MBU on Nov. 10.

Debbie Dumey, director of graduate studies admissions, explained the decision to sponsor a three mile run and said: “It supports a good cause and promotes lifelong learning. This also gives graduate students who live off campus an opportunity to be involved in Homecoming.”

MBU Graduate Studies raised $3,500 for KidSmart, a local organization dedicated to supplying St. Louis students with essential supplies they could otherwise not afford.

As of Friday evening, 95 people had registered to run in MBU’s 5k. However, the next morning, an extra 55 people arrived to participate in the race, which totaled the number of participants to 150.

MBU Graduate Studies prepared for 250 people, so the new arrivals were greeted with great enthusiasm. Each participant received a T-shirt, which originally had only been guaranteed to the people who had pre-registered.

Several participants won prizes such as a gift basket filled with various foods and running supplies or one of two St. Louis Bread Company coupons for a year of free bread.

Steve Bender won the grand prize, a $50 gift certificate to a local runner’s store. He finished the three mile race in 16 minutes and 43 seconds.

Dumey said, “People need to start training for next year because we are planning to make this an annual event.”

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