Participants line up at the starting line for last year's United Way Halloween Fun Run on campus. The run happens this year on Oct. 31 at 12:15 p.m.
Don’t be surprised if you see a witch or Superman fly by you around lunchtime on Halloween.
Flash Gordon may also sprint past you and yes, those really will be Princess Leah’s hair buns in the distance.
Costumed philanthropists and fitness buffs will take to a course on campus to run five kilometres on Oct. 31 and help raise money for the United Way of St. Catharines and District.
Brock’s campaign goal for the charity, which funds 65 services and helps 100,000 people in north Niagara, is $120,000 and organizers are hoping many ghosts, goblins, superheroes and characters from galaxies far, far away will lace up their running shoes for the cause.
“It’s a very significant contribution that the United Way makes to the community,” said Melanie Tyler, who’s helping with Brock’s campaign.
Tyler, a third year political science student, hopes more of her fellow students with join this year’s effort, the run’s second edition, and do it in costume, though those aren’t necessary.
She will be donning her Princess Leah costume – “I’m just a nerd,” she said with a laugh – and chipping in at least $20 in pledges. That’s the minimum she’s hoping each runner will collect.
Prizes will be awarded to participants with the best costume, fastest time and the most money raised.
Still, the event’s goal is about more than the final tally of donations, Tyler noted.
“The big thing we’re pushing for is awareness of what the United Way does for the community and the fundraising aspect but it’s more important we get the message out (about the United Way),” she said.
Runners can sign up via the event’s Facebook page or simply show up at noon on Oct. 31 with pledges in hand to the registration table, which will be set up near the pedway between the Cairns Complex and Plaza building.
The run starts at 12:15.
For more information, visit the Facebook page or email Tyler at mt10hu@brocku.ca or Allison Flynn at aflynn@brocku.ca.
If the weather is good, we will have a Zumba warmup by Elna Mayberry at 12:00. The run and walk will begin at 12:15.
If the weather is bad, we will have a Zumba class for 45 minutes in the Fitness Studio in Walker Complex. Registration will move to outside of the change rooms.
We will update the Facebook and Twitter page at 10:30 on Wednesday morning if we will be outside or at the Fitness Studio!