The THON 5K was a major success
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. (BVM) — THON is a Penn State student-run multimillion dollar fundraiser that raises money for children with cancer. Their mission is to provide emotional and financial support, spread awareness, and ensure funding for critical research so that they may pursue a cure.
The year-long effort eventually ends with the 46-hour dance marathon where the total amount of money raised is announced. The money is donated to the Four Diamonds which helps cover the bills of the families.
THON’s first big event this year was the THON 5K which happened Oct. 10 outside of the Bryce Jordan Center where hundreds of people showed up.
After they were forced to make last year’s event virtual the turnout this year was incredible as over a hundred people ran the race and some of the Four Diamonds families showed up to cheer on the runners.
Penn State senior Shiv Patel ran the race this year with his club, Springfield. Springfield is a student organization at Penn State that is a THON specific organization that has four families they spend time with, and they also fundraise.
Patel has been a part of Springfield for three years now and this is his first year running the race. He was one of four seniors that are a part of Springfield who ran the race.
“I wanted to run it with people who had the same goal as me which is to cure childhood cancer,” Patel said.
The athletic event focused on finding a cure for childhood cancer. People even dressed up in costumes to run such as a giraffe or bear.
“It is mainly about raising money but also to bring awareness by having a group of people do something for the kids,” Patel said.
That’s what was accomplished. At every street corner or turn in the road there were people having fun and cheering on the runners.
The children also had a fun time with it as they were constantly cheering when people crossed the finish line. They even had their own race which was significantly shorter than the 5K distance.
The families that are partnered with Springfield were engaged with members of the organization during the entire race.
“We all show up around an hour early and have activities before the race with them such as kicking a soccer ball or just talking with the families and the kids,” Patel said. “And afterwards we had lunch, talked, and also had more activities after the race such as Fall Fest.”
Fall Fest is a Springfield event where they enjoy fall activities, such as painting pumpkins and playing keep it up with a bouncy ball, with the families and children who they are partnered with.
The winner of the THON 5K this year was Penn State sophomore Jeremy Bell who ran it in roughly 14 minutes.
