The event, among others, was started last year and is being continued in honor of Dr. Melissa Schultz, who passed away last spring.
Mariah Joyce
Editor in Chief
The second annual Dr. Melissa Schultz Memorial 5K and 1 Mile Run/Walk will take place this weekend.
The event starts at 9 a.m. tomorrow, April 23. The course starts in front of Severance Hall, where Schultz taught, and loops through the campus.
Sarah Davis, one of the event organizers, said the 5K was started last year as a way to remember and honor Dr. Melissa Schultz, who died in a car accident last spring.
“It was a way for her friends, family, students, [and] colleagues to come together to channel our grief and celebrate her life,” said Davis. “Melissa was one of my very best friends and there was a group of her friends that had the same idea as some of her students from the sciences to hold a race in her honor.”
Davis said that last year, she, Jackie White ’17 and Rachelle Herrin ’15 worked on the logistics of the event with the help of Pam Teigtmeier from the Longbrake Wellness Center. Davis added that many groups on campus, such as the chemistry club and the track and field team, made signs and turned out to contribute to the day’s success.
“Melissa and her whole family are avid runners so it made sense to honor her with a run,” said Davis.
The event is free and open to all, and participants do not need to register beforehand, though Davis suggests getting there at 8:45 a.m. so that participants have ample time to sign the required waiver.
The course is non-timed, and Davis described it as a family friendly event and a great way to get out and enjoy the beauty of the campus.
“You do not need to have a connection to Dr. Schultz to participate,” said Davis. “The best part is getting people that didn’t have a chance to know her out celebrating Earth Day, running together. That’s how her legacy lives on.”
The organizers are expecting about 250 – 400 participants. A few more volunteers are also still needed to help with pre-race setup or to man the water stations.
If interested in volunteering, email eevans16@wooster.edu or jwhite17@wooster.edu. For any other questions about the event, email sadavis@wooster.edu.