Students and faculty involved in the project hope to eventually build a new greenhouse and a biodome that will house a tropical garden and nature sanctuary.

“We’re still in the feasibility study stage,” project director Phillip Lamoureux said. “The funds we raise (from the 5K) will keep the project going (by helping) us to publicize and expand.”

Lamoureux, an MSU research assistant, said plans are in the works for the dome to be located just on the edge of Shaw Hall, across from the Abrams Planetarium.

“It would be a self-supporting facility,” Lamoureux said. “We’d like it to be free of charge — mornings through evenings on the weekdays — with a door charge on the weekends for events.”

During the week, it would be open for MSU students and employees to enjoy, and open to the local community for weekend events.

“With the round-dome structure, the internal space is all curves, offering an around-the-bend mystique,” he said. “Everything will be handicap and wheelchair accessible.”

In addition to tropical greenery, the dome would house a 13-foot waterfall, a workroom office, a study lounge and a performance area for weddings, concerts and plays, Lamoureux said. The estimated cost for building the facility is about $1.53 million.

Student volunteer and fundraising architect Alex Mazur got involved in the project her freshman year when she saw the group’s plans at Sparticipation.

“I saw the giant live model set up on Munn Field,” Mazur said. “I thought it was a great cause and a nice way to get the community involved in MSU and a great place for students to have.”

Mazur, a biological science sophomore, said there were 50 pre-registered people signed up, and 20 additional participants signed up the morning of the race.

Woody’s Oasis provided a $300 sponsorship. Local businesses that donated gift certificates for the participants include Moe’s Southwest Grill, IHOP, Peanut Barrel and Grand Traverse Pie Company.

Both Sparty and Johnny Spirit attended the event and cheered on runners as they crossed the finish line.

Tiffany Abrahamian, a junior on MSU’s cross country team, signed up for the race without realizing the cause. She took first place with a time of 18:35.

“I’d just wanted to run a 5K, and I didn’t have an exam on Monday,” Abrahamian said. “But I’ve been looking at the brochures and it seems like a really cool idea, with the waterfall and everything.”