Chasing Fearless Futures: the annual THON 5K

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The BJC was boomin’! The annual THON 5K powered by PNC, began at 11:30 a.m. on Oct. 22 with music, games, merchandise sales and raffles to encourage excitement for all registered runners.

Penn State’s Bryce Jordan Center hosted the THON 5K powered by PNC. The entire registration cost went directly to THON’s sole beneficiary, Four Diamonds at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital where all treatment costs are covered for Four Diamonds Families.

Before the registered runners ran through the start line, the kid’s race promptly started at 11:15 a.m. for a short dash where one child claimed victory.

The morning started with music blasting, Penn State’s Nittany Lion dancing on the stage with the cheerleading team, the Penn State Lionettes and many THON volunteers staying busy ensuring the day went smoothly.

Hospitality captains and committee members held a tent for breakfast and had a stand for energy drinks and a water station; after the race, the tent reopened for all registered runners to refuel with pizza, subs, chips, cookies and fruit.

Entertainment captains and committee members occupied the grassed areas with soccer games, Kan Jam and cornhole for runners and THON families to participate in. Other committee captain and member volunteers included Special Events, Dancer Relations, Rules and Regulations, Merchandise and Public Relations.

Penn State THON had a morning packed with various events, which were aired on their live stream, including performances that reflected traditions during THON weekend. There was a pep rally, performances of former years’ line dances, courtesy from Dancer Relations captains, a kids stretch and a Four Diamonds family speaker.

A fourth-year majoring in education, Sofie Gordon, is a THON chair for Club Cross Country and a member of a Special Events Committee.

“Our families, unfortunately, can not make it today, but we are running for them and I’m pumped,” Gordon said.

Keeping it light hearted and remembering THON’s playfulness, “We have a few runners that are planning on winning the whole thing today,” Gordon said.

In anticipation of the THON 5K powered by PNC, the Around the World Challenge took place from Oct. 15-22. The THON community challenged volunteers to walk 25,000 miles, the amount to walk across the world, in one week; for every mile, one dollar was credited to a volunteer’s chosen organization to further the fight towards finding a cure.

With only 16 days until 100 Days ‘Til THON, the community begins their goal of raising $850,000 during the Dream Forward Campaign, which includes various events between Oct. 23-Nov. 11; Phone-a-THON, Org. Trivia Night and Matching Day are some of the events taking place on Penn State’s campus.

THON’s 46-hour dance marathon will occur on Feb. 16-18 in the BJC. It will be a weekend full of performances and line dances building up to the Final Four hours where families share stories and the final fundraising total is revealed.

Natalie Simone is a second-year student majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email nvs5790@psu.edu.