By Carolyn Gootee

Tom May liked to run, and he loved to help people.  

“He loved doing things for other people,” May’s roommate and mechanical engineering junior Brent White said. “He poured his time and energy into his friends.” 

May, also a mechanical engineering junior, died Nov. 9 in an automobile accident returning from a retreat at Laurel Lake in London, Ky. The first  annual Tom May Memorial 5K run/walk is being held in honor of May because running was important to him.

White said May ran recreationally and supported charities by running. He was also a cross-country runner at Louisville Male High School.UK Baptist Campus Ministry will sponsor the event held Saturday in the Green Lot of Commonwealth Stadium.

 “Tom was a really big part of the Baptist Campus Ministry,” said Tyler Bridges, a civil engineering junior, Baptist Campus Ministry council member in charge of the 5K and a close friend of May. 

The race is a fundraiser to support Pure Water Pure Life through Edge Outreach in Louisville. The program provides safe drinking water, community health education programs, water treatment plants and other aid worldwide, according to the Edge Outreach Web site. 

Approximately 200 participants are expected for the race, which is expected to last about an hour, depending on the pace of the runners and walkers. Several of May’s friends and family members from Louisville are expected to participate in event, Bridges said. The race will began at 9 a.m. Commonwealth Stadium and goes through Greg Page Apartments.

Registration will be at 8 a.m. on Saturday. Registration forms are available on the Baptist Campus Ministry Web site. Early registration forms are due Tuesday. Registration forms can be returned by mail or dropped off at the Baptist Campus Ministry, 429 Columbia Ave. Race fees are $20. For additional information contact Tyler Bridges at [email protected].