ZTA hosts second annual 5K

More than 100 participants gathered at the starting line to run or walk in the Zeta Tau Alpha (ZTA) 5K Run for Breast Cancer Awareness on Nov. 12 in front of the University Center.

Many participants were decked out in pink, ready to run not only for the sake of healthy competition, but also for a good cause.

Frankie Humphrey won first place overall among males with a time of 19 minutes and 22 seconds. Abby McEnaney won first place overall among females with a time of 24 minutes and 34 seconds.

All runners received a T-shirt and pink cup. Humphrey, McEnaney and those who placed in age-specific categories received a medal with a pink ribbon.

All of the proceeds from the event will go towards breast cancer awareness and education.

Jessica Mcneill, junior biology major, said she is passionate about her sorority’s philanthropy.

“It’s a great cause,” Mcneill said. “It’s important to educate people and make people aware about breast cancer. Whether it’s females or males, older people or younger people, everybody might get breast cancer, and it’s important to look for it early and just be aware. So, I just love our philanthropy, and I love supporting it.”

Several of the runners shared something in common with many of the sisters – they have a family member or friend who has struggled with breast cancer.

To honor those people, ZTA made a chalkboard and let people write the name of someone they knew who had breast cancer in colored chalk.

“When we say, ‘Think Pink,’ we mean somebody who you know has had breast cancer, somebody you want to think of and honor,” Mcneill said. “It’s just so people can see that there are a lot of people who have gone through it and kind of brings a visual to it.”

Junior pre-nursing major Gabriella Ramos serves as philanthropy chair for the sorority and said she has a goal to raise $5,000 towards breast cancer awareness and education by the end of the school year.

“Breast cancer is such a big cause, so people are really supportive about it,” Ramos said. “That gets you more excited when everybody is very supportive about it.”

In preparation for the 5K, ZTA sisters sought sponsorships from companies and organizations from the Pee Dee. The sponsors were: Junior Women’s Club of Lake City; Irby St. Sporting Goods; Stefano’s; Edward Jones; Kingstree Auction, Co.; Doric Products, Inc.; Palmetto Office Furniture; First Reliance Bank; FMU and Pee Dee ZTA Alumnae.

ZTA has been hosting Think Pink Drink Pink bake sale booths to raise money for their philanthropy in addition to the 5K. They also held a percent night at 1720 Burger Bar. ZTA sisters ran the restaurant’s trivia night and in turn received a percent of the restaurant’s profits for one evening.

These events also gave ZTA an opportunity to promote the race. They passed out fliers at the Think Pink Drink Pink booths and at 1720 Burger Bar. They also advertised on social media.

“It’s hard to get your name out there, so as you continue to have 5Ks, you really have to advertise for it,” Mcneill said.

ZTA partners with the NFL, Bright Pink and the American Cancer Society.