Students and community members raced down East Haggard Avenue wearing capes. Children dressed as zombies ran past windows, frightening those inside. They were not filming the newest superhero movie on Elon University’s campus, but rather raising money for those who need medical assistance in Alamance County.
Sept. 20 marked the first annual “Great Cape Escape Race,” a race that benefits the Open Door Clinic of Alamance County. The Open Door Clinic provides free medical assistance to those in Alamance County unable to afford it. Elon’s Physician Assistant (PA) Student Society sponsored the race and looks forward to making it a tradition.
“The first year of Elon PA students decided to make The Open Door Clinic their philanthropy, so [the race] has been three years in the making,” said PA student and race chair Lisa Nichols. “The Open Door Clinic is for our population that can’t afford health care on their own.”
Participants could choose from three levels of running, the 10K, 5K or the Fun Run. The Fun Run was intended for children up to nine years old to dress up as zombies and run the course while being hit with water guns. Every Fun Run participant who crossed the finish line was considered a superhero and given a medal regardless of the time.
Because this race, which used a USA Track & Field certified course, was meant to benefit others, registration was $35 for the 5K, $40 for the 10K and $20 for the Fun Run. Individuals were also asked to raise money on their own by getting sponsors individually or for their team.
Prizes were given out to the men and women who came in first, second and third in both the 5K and 10K. About 250 people came out to run the course around Elon and support the cause. To keep with the theme, prizes were given out to the people who raised the most money as a team or had the best superhero costumes.
Check-in began at 10:30 a.m. and the races started in the heat of the afternoon at 1 p.m. The “Great Cape Escape Race” route went around all of Elon’s campus, starting at the Gerald Francis Center at 762 E. Haggard Ave., and took racers through Danieley Neighborhood and around the rest of campus. Racers went past Elon Elementary school, the Oaks Neighborhood, Lake Mary Nell and behind Global Neighborhood.
“It was a very hard course,” said Jessica Whitmore, who ran the 5K race in under 21 minutes. “[It was] very hilly. It is a very pretty course, but do some hill training and you’ll be fine.”
But Whitmore believed the challenge was worth it because it benefits a good cause.
The race continued beyond the awards ceremony. There was an after-party for runners, friends and supporters with T-shirts and running accessories for sale that also benefited the clinic. Runners were invited to relax with a post-race yoga session and free massages and live music by the Lone Gunmen, a local alternative band, filled the air during the run and after-party.
For those interested in helping the Open Door Clinic, additional ways to donate are on the race’s website, www.runtheGCE.com. Donations will go into the clinic’s general fund, which provides money to purchase equipment, medical supplies, medications and more to benefit the community of Alamance County.
Nichols said they are always looking for volunteers for next year’s race to help with setting it up or cheering on the runners, but she recommends the more active alternative to help the Open Door Clinic — sign up for the race next year and create a fundraising team.