By Charlie Cecil

Racers for the cure hit the ground running Sunday at Commonwealth Stadium for the 5th annual DanceBlue 5K Run/Walk for the Kids.

More than 300 runners participated in the race, which started at Commonwealth Stadium, went around to the front of the stadium, through Greg Page Apartment Complex, through the back parking lots and then back to the start, DanceBlue Public Relations Chair and integrated strategic communications senior Brittany Peskind said.

The fundraiser lasted from 3 to 6 p.m.

The money for the event goes to the fight against children’s cancer. The UK Medical Center’s Pediatric Oncology Clinic will put the money toward research to find a cure. The Center for Community Outreach sponsored the race.

This year’s estimated earnings were around $3,840.

The Student Activities Board organized the event this year, with help from the DanceBlue and the Homecoming committees.

Priska Ndege, head of the DanceBlue Committee, said she has been impressed with the dance marathon’s progress this year.

Related Links:

Dancing with the stars: DanceBlue raises $636,638.58

DanceBlue family overcomes disease to finally enjoy childhood

“From working on Blitz Week to volunteering at the clinic and meeting the kids and their families and also the 5K, everything so far has been phenomenal,” she said.

Although the race was a Wildcat Cup event, which means sorority and fraternity members could receive points for participation, most runners came out to support DanceBlue’s cause.

“I did it for DanceBlue and wanted to support the cause for children’s cancer research,” UK junior Alison Harpring said.

While the majority of the runners had two legs, one racer had four. Max, a black labrador owned by management senior Ryan Kidd, became the first dog to ever complete the race.

“We awarded him a medal,” Peskind said.

Max’s four legs didn’t give him the best time, however. The winner of the race was Aundreas Lopez, who finished in 16:22.  After winning the race, Lopez ran from the finish line out to the parking lot and kept on jogging.

When he came around the final turn and finished, there was still no other runner in sight.

“I just wanted to get a workout in,” he said.

DanceBlue’s next fundraiser will take place on Tuesday at Tin Roof from 7 to 10 p.m.. The dance marathon will receive 20 percent of all profits that night. Everyone is invited to attend.

Anyone interested in DanceBlue’s upcoming events can visit their Facebook page.