Despite early morning temperatures of less than 30 degrees Saturday, more than 200 people gathered at Beaumont Tower to participate in the Shamrock 5K.
The run, sponsored by the MSU Tower Guard, Powerhouse Gym, Student Book Store and the Pita Pit, was to benefit the MSU Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities.
Tower Guard social chairwoman Kristi Thomassaid because of the large turnout, Tower Guard ran out of numbers and T-shirts toward the end of registration.
“We’re so excited, this was such a success,” said Thomas, a zoology sophomore.
Amidst the chiming of the carillon and Sparty dancing to motivate the crowd, participants jumped up and down and ran short laps while trying to keep warm before the race began.
Linguistics senior Jennifer Leadbetter walked the approximately four-mile course, which ran through central campus and finished back at Beaumont Tower.
“It’s just something good to do on a Saturday,” she said.
Participants in the race ranged in age and pace and included some in wheelchairs and the visually impaired.
The MSU Tower Guard is the oldest active organization on campus, and is made up of approximately 70 sophomore students chosen for outstanding academic excellence, leadership and character.
Tower Guard members read textbooks onto audio tape four hours per week for students with vision impairments, and perform other services with the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities.
Tower Guard president Carl Oliver, who came up with the idea for the run in October, said the Tower Guard makes a donation anywhere from $500 to $1,000 per year to the center, but said the donation should be larger this year.
“The amount of money we made was amazing in the Shamrock 5K,” said Oliver, an economics junior.
“This year’s Tower Guard donation will be anywhere from 50 to 200 percent larger than the average donation from previous years.”
The Shamrock 5K raised about $1,500 to benefit the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities.
Oliver said Tower Guard received many compliments about the course, the food and even Sparty.
Prizes for the top three male and female runners in each age group category, as well as the overall male and female winner, included MSU hats, T-shirts and sweatshirts, backpacks and CDs.
MSU Tower Guard spokesman Steve Miglioresaid he was amazed by the large turnout for the run.
“We will definitely be turning this into an annual event,” the supply chain management sophomore said.
“The support staff, the Tower Guard members and members of MSU and East Lansing really showed how this community can come together and have a wonderful event.”
