University of North Carolina Athletics
UNC And Duke Partner For Run To Benefit Habitat
March 22, 2010 | General
March 22, 2010
Despite their tendency towards rivalry and competition, a group of UNC and Duke student-athletes will be doing the unexpected this month: working together.
A coalition of UNC and Duke student-athletes has again partnered to organize the 2nd-Annual Build Blue and True 5K, a recreational run scheduled for March 28th at 10 a.m. at the UNC Ranson-Hamrick Cross Country Course.
A friendly competition for the Duke and UNC fans across the Triangle, the 5K will benefit Habitat for Humanity of Durham and Habitat for Humanity of Orange County. Upon registration, racers will be asked to designate which school they're supporting as they run. Results of each school's support will be reported on race day at the conclusion of the event. Last year, the race raised over $2,500 for Habitat for Humanity, and drew over 100 participants on race day.
"Build Blue and True" was created three years ago by Anna Farias-Eisner, a Duke senior and cross-country runner, in a campaign to help support Habitat for Humanity of Durham.
Last year, in the creation of the event, Duke and UNC student-athletes combined their competitive energies for a good cause, "Even though we compete on the court and the field, we're all working hard for the same cause," Farias-Eisner said. "When it comes down to it, you have to keep everything in perspective in life."
"We always see each other in competition and see each other at different sporting events," said Kelly Woodruff, a UNC 2008 graduate and former Tar Heel swimmer. "Working together on this project has been great and we can't wait for the event. It will really be good to get going and give back to the community that's given so much to us."
The overall winner among Duke supporters will receive an item signed by the men's basketball team and the overall UNC winner will receive an item signed by the UNC men's basketball team. The first 200 participants to register will receive gift bags, including Nike Dri Fit Technical shirts, as well as coupons from local sponsors. The race will include the following age divisions: 18-under, 19-29; 30-39, 40-49; 50-59, 60-69 and 70+
Organizers hope to draw upwards of 200 participants to this years' race. All proceeds from the race will be split between the Habitat for Humanity branches.
Runners can register online at sportoften.com, and information about the race is also available on the Runner's World web site.
Questions about the race can be directed to habitat-5-k@googlegroups.com.
