Annual Run/Walk for Sight: Rising number of participants result in new events

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The Run/Walk for Sight has added many new events in response to the growing numbers of participants and supporters.

A professional timing system, 10k run/walk and tot trot runs will be added to the 13th annual event.

Manager of Academic Affairs, Lisette Romig, said the charity event has grown from 25 runners in the first year to 200 runners.

She said there were too many participants to keep track of so they had to split up the races and contact a professional timing company to help with the event.

The Run/Walk for Sight has evolved into an event for Pacific students, faculty and the community of Forest Grove. Romig said the first year only students and faculty participated but as the numbers have changed the participants is an even split between the Forest Grove community and the Pacific community.

The majority of the runners participate for what Romig calls a “fun run,” more for the experience than for the times, but some participants enjoy the competitive edge.

“Students can be very serious and competitive about their times, partially why the 10k was added to the schedule,” said Romig.

The Pacific School of Optometry in conjunction with the Lions club has raised $7,000 and is planning on raising another $3,000 by the end of the event.

Proceeds go to AMIGOS, a student led organization that provides eye care to underprivileged people around the world. Money raised also goes towards funding eye care for local people who cannot afford it, Optometry scholarships and equipment for the Forest Grove clinic.

Operating the event will be more difficult for the volunteers because, due to scheduling conflicts, a large number of student volunteers will be attending an optometry conference in Portland during the event, but Romig says she still believes it will go off smoothly and they will reach their goal of $10,000.

The last day to register has been extended to the day of the race, which will be on Sept. 21. Registration fees are $25 for students and $35 for the public. 

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