Rahee Nerurkar | Student Life

Runners pass Seigle Hall during the Take Steps for Kids 5K on Saturday.

Take Steps for Kids 5K is the largest student-run 5K in Missouri. The event first started in 2009, when current senior, then freshman, Marc Hendel organized it with other student runners.

The event is organized by the Washington University Club Running team. All proceeds for the event are donated to the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri youth mentoring organization.

The meet consisted of two main events: the 5K run and the one-mile run/walk. Both events were professionally chip-timed by Big River Running Company. The event ended with a kids’ 150-yard dash.

The 5K also featured break dancers, jugglers and a balloon man. The Mosaic Whispers, a University a cappella group, was also involved.

All the festivities happened in the Brookings Quadrangle.

“It went amazing; it was everything we dreamed of. We had hundreds of students come out. There was perfect weather despite a bad forecast,” Hendel said.

According to Hendel, the event turnout and the amount of money raised both exceeded expectations.

“We set what we thought was an unattainable amount of $7,500, and we raised over $8,250,” Hendel said.

“We had 386 pre-register and another 125 show up on race day, and we had 70 volunteers show up too.”

Last year, the group raised about $4,400.

Hendel says that the race is about more than just fundraising.

“Its not just about the money; it’s about seeing Wash. U. students get to go and run next to kids from Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri. It shows to us that Wash. U. cares about these kids.”

He says that the money goes directly towards funding mentorships through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.

“It will provide six new lifelong mentorship relationships, which is cool. It means we’ve changed six lives,” Hendel said.

Participants enjoyed the event.

“I thought the event was pretty good. They did a good job pulling it off, it seemed like a big success, and I was glad to see so many students participating,” senior Brennan Keiser said.

Keiser said it was fulfilling to run and donate to a worthy cause simultaneously.

“I had a really good time, I’m a recreational runner and I have no problem donating a little bit of money and enjoying a hobby of mine at the same time,” Keiser said.