For children facing serious obesity, one organization has the best advice: Just Run.
Just Run, a national non-profit organization, held a 5K fundraiser Saturday, benefitting the fight against childhood obesity.
"The $15 (registration fee) will cover the cost of the T-shirts, and the rest will go to the Just Run organization," said Anne Houk, senior in communication, former Miss Auburn and the first-year director of the event.
A total of 108 runners signed up to compete in the event.
Dave Matthew, senior in finance, finished the race in first place with a time of 22:50.
Matthew said he has done approximately 10 5K races before.
"I used to be on the triathlon team," Matthew said. "I have just been running the past few weeks (to prepare for this race)."
Second place Daniel Sanley, sophomore in secondary education and biology, finished with a time of 24:46.
"I've been running the past couple months just trying to get back in shape," Sanley said. "I really just wanted to check up on how well I've been training."
Sanley said he hates treadmills, and he always runs outside.
Among other participants, Anne Wright, freshman in exercise science, and Davis Myers, freshman in hotel and restaurant management, said they were there to support their sorority, Kappa Delta.
This was Wright's first 5K run, and Myers said she ran the Shamrock 5K earlier this year.
The course started between the football stadium and the Student Center.
The runners traveled south on Donahue Drive, left on Samford Avenue, left on College Street, left on Magnolia Avenue, around the Village, left on Donahue Drive and right on West Thach Avenue to bring them back to the original starting line.
Alix Whitaker, junior in early childhood education, helped with campaigning..
"I went to different places to gather donations and also promoted the event," Whitaker said.
"Panera Bread helped out (with snacks) and the movie theater (Carmike Wynnsong 16) donated popcorn," Whitaker added.
Each dollar raised helps make a difference, said Caroline Hazelrig, senior in communication.
"Any amount of money that goes toward preventing childhood obesity is a great success," Hazelrig said. "For her first year, Anna did a great job."
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