Softball, Sports Med host 5K

Carlena Bressanelli, Staff writer

The Mercyhurst Sports Medicine department is teaming up with the softball team to host their annual 5K walk/run.  Every year the chairs of the event choose which cause they would like to raise money for. This year, Lynne Gillott, senior Sports Medicine major, and Emily Hair, senior softball player and Sports Medicine major, are the chairs.  This year, the funds raised will help victims of Hurricane Harvey through the JJ Watt Foundation.

According to the JJ Watt Foundation crowdfunding page, the group has already raised $37,130,742 out of a $20,000,000 goal.  “With the excessive amount of hurricanes this year, we thought it might be best to donate to that cause,” Gillott said.  AccuWeather reported to ABC News that Hurricane Harvey has caused damages totaling $1.90 billion. This damage is comparable to the damage done by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.  The 5K has been a recurring event that happens in the fall. It competes with the Linked By Pink 5K that takes place in the spring. That race is put together by the Sports Medicine department along with Gannon University’s Doctorate of Physical Therapy program. This year, though, Linked by Pink will be held at Gannon.  “I want this to be successful not just because my name is attached to it, but to see the community of both our school and our community come together for those in need,” Hair said about the 5K.

The organizers encourage everyone to get involved in relief funds like the Sports Medicine department, various athletics teams like softball and the Erie community do by participating in the 5K walk/run, or by volunteering for it.  All of the money raised will be going to support those affected by Hurricane Harvey, and none will be kept by the Sports Medicine Department or the softball team.

“To be able to organize this event means that I can bring the Mercyhurst and Erie communities together in order to help out those who are in some of the toughest times of their lives,” Hair said. “Mercyhurst is built around helping others in need, and this is exactly what this 5K is trying to do.”  The 5K will take place at the Mercyhurst Recreational Center on Sunday, Oct. 8 at 10 a.m.  To pre-register for the 5K, go to hurstalumni.org/kids5K and receive a free T-shirt. Regular registration begins at 9 a.m. on Oct. 8.  “It’s going to be a fun morning,” Hair said.