CAPSTONE PROJECT: 5K RACK RACE

The Rack Race 5K was hosted by Erin Strasser on October 19, 2014. Erin has been organizing the Rack Race 5K since her mom was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009. This year marked the sixth and final year Erin has hosted the event. The Rack Race is a fundraiser designed to raise money for the American Cancer Society (ACS), which goes towards funding cancer research as well as funding the chemotherapy treatments of local cancer patients who otherwise would not be able to afford them. The event relies solely on donations and sponsorships, meaning that participants of the event ask their “sponsors” (friends, family, etc.) to make a donation towards the event in exchange for that participant’s completion of the 5K. This year, the event generated roughly $7,000 to be donated, bringing the grand total over the past six years to roughly $54,000. The goal of the Rack Race all along was to break the $50,000 mark, and to donate one hundred percent of the money raised to the ACS, and Erin is extremely happy to say that the goal was reached.

A huge thank-you goes out to everyone who helped make this event possible, including (but certainly not limited to) participants, sponsors, the amazing event photographers, Sue, Steve, and Felicity Davies, and the incredible DJ, Greg Collins! Thank you so much for donating your time and talent in helping make the Rack Race a success.

As an exciting piece of news, there is a rumor floating around that the tradition of the Rack Race will continue to live on, even if Erin is not the person organizing it. A young leadership student (anonymous…for now☺) has been considering taking over the organization of the event in years to come. Hopefully, the legacy will continue!

If you would like to see pictures and news articles from this year’s race, or from the races of any of the past six years, feel free to check out the official Rack Race website! The site is still accepting online donations towards the American Cancer Society as well, and is definitely worth browsing. (www.rackrace-5k.com)