The annual Earth Day 5K race on the Park University campus was held on April 20. The race started at Copley Quad at 10 a.m.

This was the 4^th annual 5K hosted by the Park Student Government Association. For the first time this year, the race was USA Track & Field certified.

The fee for the run/walk 5K was a donation of two non-perishable items or hygiene items to the Pirate Pantry on the Parkville campus.

Participants received a t-shirt before the race. The event also had a raffle for prizes that are environmentally-friendly. The prizes included three backpacks, a set of life straws, a solar-powered phone charger and a Park gear set. The prizes were arranged by the environmental committee, which is under PSGA and focuses on promoting environmental issues across the campus.

Last year, the race had 84 attendees, and this year it had more than 100 runners with 200 donations made to The Pirate Pantry.

“Being able to reach our goals as an organization and being able to have events like the 5K on campus provides the community with an opportunity to grow closer with the campus,” said Christian Leonard a senior math major. He is also the head of the environmental committee and was recently elected as next year’s PSGA president.

Matt Couzens, another member of PSGA, who is a graduating senior logistics major, also added that he believes Park University is the heart of Parkville, and it’s good to let those who live nearby but don’t attend the school see how we support our students.

The Earth Day 5K is a great way for the community to get involved with the campus. It also allows participants to explore Park’s beautiful campus and unique underground system as the course goes all around and through the campus.