UCA’s Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI) hosted its first 5K Color Run Nov. 14 on UCA campus.
The FIJI members hosted their 5K Color Run as a fundraiser to gain money for their charter. The UCA Phi Gamma Delta is currently a colony at UCA. Once members raise enough money for their charter, the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity will become an official chapter at UCA.
To join the FIJI 5K Color Run, participants paid a $30 registration fee, which included a T-shirt that the participant wore during the run. Although the race didn’t go exactly how the FIJI members planned, they have high hopes and expectations for the Color Run they are preparing for next year.
The Phi Gamma Delta members expected around 50 participants to join the race, but only managed to gain the support of about 20 participants. The race took place around the UCA campus, starting at the HPER Center. The course was designed for participants to run down Bruce Street and to continue running down Donaghey Avenue. Once the participants ran down Donaghey Avenue, they would run toward the softball fields and continue the course along its designed path.
Along the course, the FIJI members had small rest stations set up for the participants who needed water and refreshments. Although this was the first Color Run UCA’s FIJI members have hosted, according to Fundraising Chair junior Spencer Carmical, this was a learning experience for the Phi Gamma Delta members who have already started taking steps in the right direction by preparing for their second 5K Color Run next year.
“Our numbers were a little lower than we hoped for, but this was a learning experience so we can make next year’s event even better,” Carmical said.
Although the group struggled to get the event together and scheduled, they learned a lot that will help them for the next event.
“We want to make it an all-day event next year, which we plan to have a cook-out after the race and an after party later that night,” Carmical said. “Even though the run was small, it was still successful in my eyes and it went a lot smoother than I expected. My favorite part of the race was definitely when we were finished and we threw the leftover color on everyone.”
The Phi Gamma Delta members are taking steps in the right direction to become a chapter at UCA and can be reached on their website at ucafiji.com for donations.
This article originally appeared in the Nov. 18, 2015 print edition of The Echo.
