This past Homecoming weekend featured not only a double-header sweep for baseball and an exciting win for men’s lacrosse but also a victory for a great cause.
In support of the Lymphoma Research Foundation, the Hopkins track and field program held its 14th-Annual Blue Jay 5k last Saturday morning.
There are over 761,000 people in the United States living with or in remission from lymphoma (both Hodgkin’s and Non-Hodgkin’s).
In memory and honor of former Hopkins cross-country athlete Rebecca Grande, who passed away from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in the fall of 2012, the race aimed to bring awareness to the cause and raise money for more research efforts.
“It raises thousands of dollars for two great causes (lymphoma research and our team) but it is also a fun event that brings students together, athletes and non-athletes alike,” junior Mitchell Keller said. “It’s also not just students! Lots of people from the community and parents of students come out to run.”
With sponsorships from local organizations including Potbelly’s, Miss Shirley’s, Pete’s Grille and the Green Spring Racquet Club, the track program was able to put together this great fundraiser.
“As a team, we all contacted sponsors and, seeing that there’s about 120 of us, we had a far reach. We also had some fundraisers at Insomnia and Potbelly, and other small fundraisers around campus,” freshman Jaynie Criscione said. Criscione competes in sprints and jumps for the women’s track team.
That effort paid off since this year’s attendance was higher than it ever has been, with 299 runners finishing.
With a 9:45 a.m. start between the Cordish Lacrosse Center and the baseball field, the runners raced through campus and out by the Baltimore Museum of Art.
The second mile took them back through campus, past the Milton S. Eisenhower Library, around the beach and up N. Charles Street. From there they crossed toward the western edge of campus near San Martin Drive and the Stoney Run River before heading up E. University Parkway.
Along the route, runners encountered members of the Hopkins track and field team lining the edges of the path.
“The event itself is a lot of fun for everyone involved because it is a beautiful course that takes you through the whole campus where you can run by your friends and show your support. People also love that the track team lines the course as “course marshals” but we are basically just there to cheer people along,” Keller said.
The race culminated around the track in the stadium, with the finish line in the middle of the Homewood Field.
“It finishes under a big blow up finish line with music and food and it is a nice reward for non-athletes who aren’t used to having people cheering for them for working out and having people waiting to congratulate them when they finish. There are lots of great prizes too,” Keller said.
Ryan Spangler was the first to cross the finish line with a time of 15 minutes and 38 seconds. Andrew Ceruzzi came in eight seconds later, followed by Nathan Dordai as the third place finisher overall.
Numerous athletes from other Hopkins athletics programs, including members of the volleyball, football, wrestling, basketball and lacrosse teams, also came out to show their support.
“It was a great way to end an off-weekend for us! It was the perfect day for something to do on campus with some teammates and friends, and to help support another sports team and lymphoma research. The course throughout campus was really creative and fun!” senior Josie George, a member of the women’s lacrosse team, said.
The final tally of profits and money raised for the Lymphoma Research Foundation will be totaled soon, but the event already united students, student athletes and community members alike for a greater purpose.
“The Blue Jay 5k is the epitome of the team spirit and camaraderie that the track/cross country team has. Though putting on the event is a lot of work, there’s definitely a rewarding feeling knowing that the event was successful and that you’re supporting such a meaningful cause,” Criscione added.
