Pi Beta Phi and Phi Delta Theta co-hosted the 10th annual Eve Carson Memorial 5K For Education and brought in around 1,400 runners on Saturday. Held in memory of former Student Body President Eve Carson, who was killed in 2008, the 5K has followed in her footsteps of honoring scholarship and education for 9 years.
Pi Beta Phi Vice President of Philanthropy Hannah Wieler said the run is held in order to bring attention to the Eve Marie Carson Memorial Junior-Year Merit Scholarship, and to keep the spirit of Eve Carson alive.
“Her life was cut way too short," Weiler said. "It’s important that we remember her here on campus, just because of the huge impact she had and it's important, especially 10 years later, because it's obvious none of us were here when she was here, but it’s important to keep her memory alive and just keep her spirit alive as the Carolina way."
Eighty percent of the proceeds from the 5K will go to the Eve Carson Scholarship, a merit scholarship that also funds a summer experience, and was created in Carson's honor for eligible juniors. The other 20 percent will be equally split between CEO 4 Teens, a non-profit that provides scholarships for students to learn English and computer skills, and the Pi Beta Phi Literacy Fund.
Runners began at the starting line on East Cameron Avenue by the Old Well, and then proceeded to run through the Gimghoul neighborhood. Competing for the win, sprinters ran by the Carolina Inn and finished at the flag pole in Polk Place.
Sophomore Madeline Rieker ran the 5K last year and hopes to run next year. She said this local 5K has a good community atmosphere and associated cause.
“Honestly I think they did a really good job, obviously it would be great to have it bigger and have more people come,” Rieker said.
Masters student in exercise physiology, Gabe Zieff, said the race had good campus camaraderie. He ran the race in part because of the lifetime fitness jogging class he teaches and was able to get around seven students to run with him. He used the 5K as a goal for his students to work toward.
First-year Garrett Douglas wanted to run in order to contribute to the cause, and because his friend recommended it, but said this 5K was different for him than others.
