ZTA, Florence community race for a cause
Photo by: Dani Isgett
Members of Zeta Tau Alpha sponsor a 5K to raise money for breast cancer education and awareness. FMU and members of the community join them for the run.
At 9:00 a.m. on Oct. 17, the Zeta Tau Alpha (ZTA) sorority held a 5K Pink Out race that raised money for the ZTA breast cancer foundation, which promotes the education and awareness of breast cancer.
October is breast cancer awareness month, and it is the time of year that many organizations emphasize the education of breast cancer to those who have been fortunate not to experience the disease. October is also a popular month of fundraising, in which many proceeds go to research for a cure for breast cancer.
ZTA’s philanthropy is the fight against breast cancer. FMU’s chapter choose to raise money through a Pink Out 5K.
“We have seen other ZTA chapters find great success in this kind of event and wanted to try something new,” Taylor Culbertson, junior business management major and ZTA philanthropy chair, said.
FMU students, including many members of the ZTA sorority, FMU faculty and community members, participated in the event.
Community members came not only from Florence, but also from other surrounding areas such as Hartsville, Lamar, Kingstree and Columbia. Nearly 150 participants registered for the 5K, and 44 completed the race. Participants were encouraged to show their support not only by running, but through wearing pink.
The event raised almost $1,200 that will go to the ZTA Foundation for Breast Cancer Awareness and Education. The registration fee for the even was $25 prior to the day of the race and $30 if a runner registered on the morning of the race, which is the typical cost for participating in 5K race.
Jannik Roettlingsberger, FMU Men’s Tennis player and junior management major, was the overall first place winner for 5K race with a time of 22 minutes and 57 seconds. Roettlingsberger received a first place medal for his top finish.
“The most important thing is not winning but supporting the fight against breast cancer,” said Roettlingsberger.
Billy Pettigrew, 54-years-old from Quinby, with a time of 23 minutes and 1 second, took a very close overall second place. Pettigrew is an avid runner that heard about the race through strictlyrunning. com, another supporter of the ZTA 5K.
“I decided to come just last night because it was for a good cause,” Pettigrew said. “There was a good turn out from the community and good weather for a race.”
Participants that finished 1st and 2nd in their age and gender group received pink ribbon medals for their accomplishments.
One website for runners, stricktlyrunning.com, was a place where people would be able to find out about the race, its purpose, location and time and could register for the race. Representatives from the website were at the race. They recorded run times and produced the results sheet for the race.
ZTA plans on making this event an annual one.
“We would love to double our exceed goal this year in next year’s race,” said Culbertson. “I loved seeing our chapter come together as a whole to bring out the community to raise money for a cause that touches so many lives.”
For the participants that did not receive medals, there were door prizes given through a random draw. One of the prizes was a free entry into next year’s Pink Out 5K race.
ZTA also had several sponsors for the event. Those sponsors were Kappa Alpha Order’s Delta Tau chapter, Auntie Anne’s, Victor’s, Donny’s Truck, Auto and 1st Choice Automotive of Florence, Anderson Law Firm, Matthews Farms and Produce, and Palmetto Grocery and Grill. Other small businesses donated to the event also.
As the month of October continues, many organizations are promoting breast cancer through the sale of tee shirts and ribbons. As an FMU community, let’s aid in the fight for a cure.