The first annual five-kilometer Charity Run/Walk/Roll, hosted by the class of 2004, will take place tomorrow morning on the Medford/Somerville campus with lunch and entertainment after the race.
Organized by the sophomore and junior class staffs, the event is intended to raise money for local non-profit organizations supported by the Tufts Neighborhood Service Fund (TNSF) in Medford, Somerville, Grafton, and Chinatown locations.
Participants will arrive at Ellis Oval 30 minutes before the race begins to hear a welcome address from President Larry Bacow, who will also be responsible for the gunshot signaling the start of the race. Beginning and ending at Ellis Oval, the course will take participants all over campus with balloons, banners, and posters marking the way.
Assistant Director of Career Services and event coordinator Nicole Anderson said that the race, originally advertised only to sophomores, began as a public service event to bring the class closer together. "We want them to identify with their peers... with the class of 2004," Anderson said. "Freshmen have orientation, juniors go abroad, and seniors have commencement. We thought that we would do something for the sophomores."
But as more and more people began to express an interest in the race, "We decided that maybe we should open it up to everyone," Anderson said. Approximately 50 people have already registered online but many more are expected to participate tomorrow.
Donations to the TNSF will be collected by participants prior to the event and brought to the race. Participants who raise over $25 in donations will meet the "challenge" level for the event and receive a free water bottle. Other prizes will be given to the highest fundraisers and top finishers.
Organizers have reached out to multiple campus groups, including the Leonard Carmichael Society (LCS), the Tufts Athletic Department, and the Omidyar Scholars in search of volunteers. Olympia Sports, MVP Sports, and Poland Springs have also offered their services, donating prizes, offering discounts, and taking part in the day's events.
Senior and student organizer Victoria Crispin said that the race will be a "pilot test" but will hopefully become an annual campus event. She said that race organizers had worked hard to maintain their original mission "in trying to unite the sophomore class and incorporate charity work" into the event.
"It's for a really great cause," said Crispin. "It would be great to have the support [for the TNSF cause] come from right here at the University."
Bacow, who intends to run with his wife, Adele, expressed enthusiasm for the 5k race. "I think it is terrific that the sophomores are raising money for good causes," he said. "I hope this event becomes a Tufts tradition."
While most of the details of tomorrow's race have fallen into place quite smoothly, one still remains unconfirmed. "Pray for good weather," Bacow said.
Students who with to make donations can give them to participants or assistants at the event.
