With more than 300 pre-registered runners, Auburn University's Student Government Association's 15th annual Fall 5K benefited Auburn United Way agencies, including Project Uplift.
The event included live entertainment from Auburn local band Fallback, food and exercise for the community.
As the temperature reached a high of 55 degrees, runners bundled up for the first signs of fall weather on Cater Lawn, Sunday, Oct. 18.
"I like running 5Ks," said Chynna Dulac, freshman in nutrition science. "It's just long enough, and it's fun and you feel involved."
The 15th annual Fall 5K was open to all students, faculty and staff with food from Shakey's Pizza, Little Caesar's and demonstrations by Apple and Verizon Wireless.
Rachel Ryhne, director of the Fall 5K, said all proceeds went to Auburn's Project Uplift, a big brother and big sister program whose mission is to train volunteers to work with children ages 5 to 12, and spend three to four hours a week with each child from within the Auburn area.
Rebecca Verner, freshman in anthropology, helped set up the event with Auburn's Honors College and said she just wanted to come out and help support a great charity.
Sponsors for this year's run included area radio stations, Niffer's, Fuze, Crown Trophy and active.com.
Kate FM was live on location broadcasting and even had morning DJ ANT run in this year's race. ANT was sponsored by Sam's Club, who donated $100 to Project Uplift.
"We try to give back to every possible place that we can, and we can't always be everywhere, but we have been hand-in-hand with SGA in a lot of things they do," said Jil Moses, afternoon DJ of Jamz 'n' Jil.
According to Project Uplift, anyone can volunteer who is over the age of 18.
Students are then matched up with a child based on common interests, skills and past experiences to spend time with them each week during the school year.
"I have been a volunteer for two years now and I have two little sisters and a partner," said Marianna Waits, senior in elementary education. "We pick up the girls once a week, and we have developed a really good relationship. It is amazing how much we have learned from them, and it is really neat to see how they have impacted us over the last two years."
Waits said a typical day could be just hanging out in the park or going to get ice cream.
"It's a lot about not spending money, but developing a relationship and becoming a mentor," Waits said. "I can definitely tell that they look up to us. It is really rewarding."
Katie Reid, an Apple campus representative, was also on hand to provide demonstrations and hand out Apple products, such as iPods and iPod shuffles for runners to try during the run.
Reid said Apple has partnered with Nike to promote its global 10K race and decided this would be a perfect time to promote Apple products and show runners the products available.
Project Uplift was at the event with a sponsored tent to provide more information to those who wanted to get involved.
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