Student Athlete Advisory Committee holds first 5k race for Family and Friends Weekend

Wellesley’s Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC), on Sunday, Sept. 30, held the first of what the committee hopes will be many 5k events. Over 100 participants signed up for the event, with the proceeds going to the committee’s various events throughout the year.

SAAC’s fundraising subcommittee conceived of the idea of a 5k “fun run” as a way to promote wellness, raise money for the organization and get people involved. “When we were trying to brainstorm different fundraising activities or options last spring, we came up with the idea of a 5k race because we’re a committee of student athletes. For the runners, it’s kind of like being a student athlete for a morning,” committee member Dana Marks ’13 said. 

“It was also a way we could involve everyone on campus, not just athletes, because a lot of people run for fun,” Cara Kaufman ’14 said.

The course stretched across campus, beginning at the Keohane Sports Center (KSC), continuing down Central Street and looping in through the pillars at the eastern entrance of campus. 

While SAAC didn’t charge a registration fee because activities during Friends and Family Weekend are all free, the committee brought in $386 in donations. There was a suggested contribution of $5.

Friends and family participated in the event along with current Wellesley students. Nicole Chui ’15 and Sharon Ng ’16 were the top student finishers. Adam Thompson and Larry Belvin won among adult family and friends. Meredith Berry-Toon ‘16 watched her siblings take home the prize in the youth family and friends category. All of the winners received gift cards.

“It’s already a success with so many registered participants in its first year,” SAAC Co-President Mara Blesoff ’13 said. “Being formally involved with Family and Friends Weekend is huge.”

After the large turnout this year, committee members are optimistic that the race will become an annual Homecoming Weekend event. “We hope for it to become a tradition. It’s so easy for it to become one, especially for athletes,” Nathalie Gruet ’15 said.

SAAC plans to use the money raised from this race to host events for faculty “ambassadors” to the athletic department, fund a mentor program for first-years involved in athletics and plan Superfan days that will aim to bring non-athletes to the KSC to watch games.