“Run for a Reason: Run Red” fundraiser ended New Student Program’s six-week Prowl program on Saturday, where roughly 75 people attended to either walk or run a 2.5K or 5K to support Red Cross disaster relief.

Everyone participating ran or walked a loop starting at the Panther Pavilion and turned into Panther Trail.

While some ran alone in support of the cause, people like Chelsey Johnston, a senior special education and psychology major, and her family ran together.

Pat Johnston, Chelsey Johnston’s father, who placed first in the 5K run at roughly 22 minutes, said his family and he participate in these types of runs together when they can.

While he did not necessarily prepare for the race, Pat Johnston said he has been running for 35 years and tries to run every day.

“I am always in training,” Pat Johnston said.

Dawn Johnston, Chelsey’s mother, said they also normally do a race in Rockford together as a family.

“We had one in Rockford every Labor Day weekend, and this is the first year they stopped doing that one,” Dawn Johnston said.

Chelsey Johnston said she found out about the Red Cross run last year.

“We usually go to the football game, but we’ve done that for two years,” Chelsey Johnston. “We saw it last year, and we were like, ‘Why didn’t we run the race?’”

Chelsey Johnston said her dad pushed her sister Johanna Johnston and her into running, and she ended up eventually loving it after participating in track in high school.

“I was like, ‘No, I don’t want to run, Dad,’ and then I ran track,” Chelsey Johnston said. “After high school, I just loved doing distance now.”

Joanna Johnston said running was as mental sport as it is physical, which is why she listens to music to keep herself focused.

“I always listen to my iPod. When I run, I love it just because I don’t like hearing the noise of cars because I run outside,” Johanna said.

Unlike her sister, Chelsey Johnston said she finds that the music can be a distraction.

Pat Johnston said he liked running, and it was also nice helping out the Red Cross.

“I am in the Knights of Columbus, and we are a big supporter of the Red Cross,” Pat Johnston said.

While there were many runners, some like Kelsie Abolt, a freshman family and consumer sciences major, and her father Doug Abolt walked through the trail.

“Usually, I run it and he walks it, but I am injured right now, so I can’t run,” Kelsie Abolt said.

Abolt had shin splints, which cause throbbing or aching in the leg.

Even though they talked and stayed together throughout the 5K run, Abolt said there was a little more competition as the finish line came up.

Abolt said she walks or runs a lot of races with her dad and this was another opportunity to do so.

Abolt said she thinks these runs are a good way to support people who cannot support themselves.

“Its always a fun time,” Abolt said. “Everyone is always in a good mood.

Although Abolt is currently running track, she said she still found the 5K walk challenging.

“I am not use to walking at a fast pace for 3 miles,” Abolt said. “I worked up a sweat and my legs will probably going to be Jell-O-y later.”

Each runner spent $20 to participate in the run, but many donated money without participating.

Kimberly Mooke, the director of New Student Programs, said it would be hard to tell how much money they received from the entire fundraiser because they received money from those who did not participate.

“There were also a number of people who opted not to participate today, so they could donate $5,” Mooke said. “We will be over $1,800 just from the race entrance and usually always have a couple hundred dollars worth of just $5 donations.”

The proceeds from the entrance fees and donations go to fund the local Red Cross disaster relief program in Charleston and Mattoon.

“It was important for us to do something locally but with a national connection,” Mooke said.

The Red Cross disaster relief has responded to the Blair Hall fire as well as other local fires.

Valarie Goodwin, the regional director of volunteer services for the Central Illinois Region for the Red Cross, said the money would be immediately put to use.

“We have had a busier year,” Karr said. “We usually serve 25 to 30 families a year, and we have already served 15 families in the first quarter of our fiscal year.”

Even though participants could sign up online for the run, walk-ins were allowed.

Bryce Gergely, a graduate student in New Student Programs and one of the organizers, said they had 30 prints of numbers ready for the walk-ins but it was not enough.

Mooke said this was the most successful run in the seven years New Student Programs members have been hosting it.

Like some at the “Run for a Reason: Run Red” fundraiser, Pat Johnston said he finds running to be an important part of his life.

“My motto is run for life,” he said.

Jarad Jarmon can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].