Police blockading the road, traffic coming to a halt, and Ball State University's mascot, Charlie Cardinal, running down Bethel Ave. are not things students would expect to see on a Saturday morning.
In collaboration with Ball State's Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, the Ball State Sports Administration Club held its annual Chase Charlie 5K Fun Run, Walk, Roll. At 8:30 a.m. on Saturday. About 225 people of all ages participated in a 5K trek beginning in the stadium parking lot, going through campus and finishing at the 50-yard line on the football field.
The first Mile Mania race for children 13 and under began around 10 a.m. with a course around the stadium. The third race was the Kiddie 100 that consisted of children eight and under running from the north goal line of the football field to the south goal line during pregame of the Ball State vs. University of Akron football game.
Members got to the stadium at 5:30 a.m. to begin setting up the course, Moira Mis, a senior member of the Sports Administration Club, said. She said the Ball State University police closed down roads in order to avoid chaos.
Austin Martin, a junior member of the Sports Administration Club, said he helped to get the course set up to make sure the runners knew where they were going and everything stayed smooth on race day.
"We began planning the event when school started, but the beginning stages of the planning actually start at the end of the previous school year," Martin said.
Jeremy Petersen, an 11-year-old fifth-grader at Storer Elementary School, said his whole family ran, and he ran in the event last year.
"I placed first in my age division, so I decided to try again," Petersen said.
A water station was placed halfway through the race for the runners to get re-hydrated. Runners also received bags containing items including a T-shirt, fruit and water. Photo opportunities with Charlie Cardinal were also available.
"The price of the event ranged from $8 to $10, and all the proceeds were divided between the Sports Administration Club and to pay the bills for the event," Gina Pauline, adviser to the club, said.
Mis said everybody received a participation ribbon.
"Top finishers of the race receive various prizes with such things as Best Buy certificates, a Sprint phone, certificates to various restaurants, movie theater tickets and miniature golf tickets," she said.
Jack Whitlow, a 5K participant, said he runs the race every year, and the people provide a good atmosphere.
"Grandpa wanted me to participate, but I wanted to do it also," said Ashia Doercam, grand-daughter to Whitlow and a 10-year-old at Kendall Elementary School in Marion. "The only time I walked was to get a drink at the rest stop, but that was it."
Martin said he thought the race was definitely successful, and the club put in a lot of work that definitely paid off.
"The purpose of the event is to try and bring together Ball State and the Muncie community for being active and staying fit," Ryne Hillenburg, a sophomore member of the Sports Administration Club, said. "It is a good, very lively event that brings the communities together. I know everyone enjoyed it."
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