ANGELINA DOHRE
Staff Writer
Just before Spring Break gives students a chance to breathe, the Slush Rush will give them an opportunity to run until they’re out of breath. Returning for its ninth year, Fredonia’s annual 5K race will be held on March 5, beginning at 9 a.m.
The Slush Rush is held in remembrance of Xylia Peterson, an international student at Fredonia who graduated in 1985 and became a vital member of the community before she passed away in an automobile accident at the age of 45.
The race raises money to support the Xylia Peterson ’85 Memorial Fund that provides international education scholarships to full-time students in their junior or senior year.
This event is open to the public and has a fee of $25 and a reduced rate of $15 for students. Included in the fee are door prizes, long sleeve shirts and a post-race party that will have food and a raffle.
Awards and prizes will be given to overall best male and female runners. Medals will be awarded to the top three runners in every five-year age group.
Running the event is Erin Willis, assistant director of study abroad and student exchange. Making this her third year as director of this program, Willis is in charge of reaching out to sponsors, coordinating with different organizations, such as timing services for the race, and advertising.
Along with Willis and the Office of International Education, various groups on campus, such as Facilities, Campus Life, University Police and the FSA all collaborate to help with the Slush Rush.
“We win a grant with the FSA every year, and we have two off-campus organizations, the Fredonia Beaver Club and the Rotary Club, who either are focused on international education or on community issues,” Willis said. “There are also people and groups who donate gifts. A running store in Orchard Park called Runner’s Roost donates gift certificates.”
According to Willis, there have been noticeable changes to the Slush Rush over the past few years. “I think participation has gone up, but I also think that’s because we’re doing a better job of marketing it to the students,” she said. “We have a reduced rate for them to register because they’re students and $25 is a lot of money.”
Freshman French adolescence education major Mark Grover is participating in the Slush Rush and appreciates the discount available for students. “I diligently attend classes, and I have a lot of work ethic, so I’m glad I can get rewarded in some way,” he said.
Another change Willis has seen is better advertising of the Slush Rush to Western New York at large.
“Last year, one thing that was really cool was the former fitness center director held a ‘Couch to 5K’ program, so he actually helped people train for this race,” Willis said. “That also helped participation go up even more, and we saw people out there who may not have thought they could do it.”
According to freshman earth science adolescence education major Matthew Woleben, he signed up for the race to give back to the campus.
“I want to help other students out with their financial need since the money from this race goes to a scholarship fund,” he said. “I think the discount also makes students feel recognized.”
The course will be entirely on Fredonia’s campus grounds, beginning and ending on Varsity Drive in front of Dods Hall. Registration, packet pick-up and the post-race party will all be held in the Williams Center on the day of the race.