Media Contact: Judi Reilly, 913-469-3908, jreilly@jccc.edu
JCCC’s Lace Up for Learning 5K Run-Walk raises money for scholarships
OVERLAND PARK, KAN. – The third annual Lace Up for Learning 5K Run-Walk will take place Sunday, Oct. 11, at Johnson County Community College. The event, open to everyone, raises money for JCCC student scholarships. In the first two years, the event raised approximately $9,000.
Lace Up for Learning 5K Run-Walk attracts people from many surrounding cities with ages ranging from under 14 to over 70 years of age. Paying it forward is what motivated Aberash Gebru to register for the upcoming event. Gebru’s four children are previous JCCC scholarship recipients. Now all of them are graduates of four-year universities. Some have graduate degrees.
“I would encourage and motivate others to participate in this event to help benefit others,” Gebru said. “I work as a custodian [at JCCC] … but I could not afford to pay school expenses so the scholarships helped a lot!”
The JCCC scholarships enabled Gebru’s children to experience their first two years of college with no financial pressure. Gebru said when she counts her blessing, she counts JCCC twice.
Besides Gebru, JCCC President Joe Sopcich again is participating as a runner and a sponsor. He challenges others to participate, too. For each person who finishes ahead of him in the run, he will donate $1 for JCCC scholarships.
The race will begin at 8 a.m. outside the college’s Fieldhouse, located next to the Student Center. The 3.2 mile course loops around the campus.
The individual entry fee is $25 online through Oct.10 or at packet pickup, which will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10, at Garry Gribbles Running Sports, 119th Street and Quivira Road, in Overland Park. The cost is $30 on the day of the race. Discounts exist for students and teams of two or more participants.
Every runner and walker will receive a complimentary t-shirt. Free food will be available for all. The run-walk is a certified 5K course with chip timing. The top three finishers in each age group will receive medals.
Registration and information is available at www.jccc.edu/laceup5k.