This Sunday, a UF student organization will be taking steps to help the less fortunate as it hosts its first 5k, Run for the World.
Heal the World, a service organization dedicated to helping others in need by facilitating service projects in the community and the state, is holding the event at Flavet Field with check-in starting at 8:30 a.m. and the race beginning at 9 a.m.
The race will be held to benefit Soles4Souls, a shoe charity that has donated millions of pairs of shoes to adults and children in need.
Registration is currently $15, and every donated dollar going toward purchasing a new pair of shoes for someone in need. The event is open to the public.
Trophies, ribbons and gift certificates will be awarded to those who finish first, but every participant will be entered for a chance to win raffle prizes. Additional raffle tickets will cost extra.
Mero Geesey, Heal the World vice president, said he hopes the cause is reason enough to get students to participate in the race.
“Even if 50 people sign up for the 5k, that means $500. That means 500 shoes,” Geesey said. “I think that’s really incredible.”
Geesey, an avid runner, said he hopes to encourage those who have never participated in a 5k before to get involved.
“It’s a mental thing,” he said. “When it gets tough, you just have to tell yourself, ‘I’m running this for a cause and, because I’m running, 10 people will have shoes who didn’t have them before.’”
