The 10th Annual Marianne Vanatta Race with the Stars 5k and 1 Mile Fun Walk is scheduled for 8 a.m. Nov. 2 on campus.
The event honors Marianne Vanatta, a passionate volunteer and board member of the Kramer School of Nursing who was dedicated to graduate education. Vanatta died of cancer in 2009.
This event is open to the public and is dedicated to bringing the campus and surrounding community together to support health and wellness.
Proceeds from the event will go to support scholarships for graduate students at the Kramer School of Nursing.
To register, participants can visit www.signmeup.com and search “Race with the Stars.”
Registration for the 5k is $30 for the general public, but students can register for the discounted rate of $15. Registration for the fun walk is $15.
There also will be registration the day of the event.
The race will start in front of Henry J. Freede Wellness Center on 27th Street, where an alumna guest announcer will get participants warmed up for the race.
The course will then loop around the OCU campus and surrounding area before ending back at the wellness center.
Vanatta was an alumna of OCU who served in many leadership roles at the Kramer School of Nursing, including chair for previous races.
The race was renamed in her memory after she died.
Cary Pirrong, director of alumni relations and 2013 race chair, said she believes that the Vanatta’s focus on graduate nursing is vital.
“There is a national shortage of nurses, especially those educated at the graduate level,” Pirrong said.
“We offer a very strong program here at OCU, and are doing all we can to support it.”
More than 170 people of all ages registered for the race last year. Turnout was slightly less than expected due to unseasonably cold weather.
Pirrong hopes to see a similar or greater turnout at this year’s event, which was planned to coincide with Homecoming weekend.
Jen Philbrook, dance management junior, is looking forward to running in th 5k.
“I like that the cost is less expensive for students,” Philbrook said. “I’m also excited that my registration fee is giving back to OCU–I’ll see the money at work.”
Leave a Reply