As quoted by author Andrea Randall, “Heroes don’t always wear capes,” but in the case of this year’s annual superhero-themed Pre-med “5K for a Better Day,” this may not have been the case. About 350 runners (students with their families and friends), came out Saturday, Feb. 15 to participate in a 5K to benefit the Pediatric Oncology unit at Salah Foundation Children’s Hospital at Broward Health. Pre-Med raised money from this event through registration of runners as well as sponsorships from the 5K’s benefactors, Sky Property Clamins and Fortinet Inc., and put the proceeds toward building a new playroom for the kids in this unit.
Advised by Dr. Pullido, the Pre-Med co-presidents, seniors Abhirami Sriganeshan and Ebin Mathew, as well as co-chairs of the 5K, senior Sage Herbert and junior Alexander Canada, organized and planned the 5K.
“I was primarily involved in event organization and volunteering, as well as collaborating with the Greater Fort Lauderdale Road Runner’s Club, the running group that helps us host the 5K every year,” Canada said. “My main job involved finding sponsors and donations, as well as coordinating with GFLRRC and encouraging other members in the effort to attract enough runners.”
The 5K started on 118th street, continued down Hiatus and back around to the school’s track. Stationed along the track were water stations and timers, and in front of the runners was a pace car to set the pace and outline the track.
The runners were grouped into 40 various age groups and awards were given out to those students who completed the 5K the fastest in comparison to others in their age group. There also were three overall winners of the 5K; coming in first participant Tim McMahon, in second sophomore Lucas Baumann and in third participant Carlos Zapata.
Besides running, the 5K also offered food and water to the participants and set up booths at the event for organizations and businesses such as CPR training, LA Fitness, Gift of Life (an organization dealing with bone marrow donations) and HOSA (Future Health Professionals formerly known as Health Occupations Students of America) with which participants could communicate with.
“The 5K for a Better Day is one of our major fundraisers for the pediatric oncology unit, and these kids deserve everything we can do to help make their days at the hospital brighter,” Herbert said. “The 5K benefits these kids while also promoting a healthy and fit lifestyle for those who run.”
