By Kendall Gottler

Tom May had a passion for running and for helping people. On Saturday, more than 150 people gathered to run in May’s memory.

May, a mechanical engineering junior at UK, died in a car accident in the fall. The accident took place on the way back from Baptist Campus Ministry’s fall retreat. Fellow BCM member Bradley Hall, an electrical engineering freshman, also died in the accident.

Money raised from the $20 registration — paid by the 163 participants — went to the non-profit organization Pure Water Pure Life, a group that helps developing world countries that don’t have access to clean water.

Civil engineering junior Tyler Bridges said organizers expected 150 to 200 people, so they met their goal.

Friends said May, who ran cross-country and track in high school, constantly tried to get others to join him running.

“Tom ran for fun and always encouraged others to run with him,” Bridges said.

Grace Collins, a hospitality management and tourism sophomore, said the accident was one that Tom’s friends will always remember and one that has helped tie them together.

“I would say the accident brought us together more,” Collins said.