By JOE COLUCCIO, staff reporter

Last Saturday morning, in front of the Central Washington Welcome Center, students lined up to race for a cause.

Central Washington’s Wellness Center and University Recreation teamed up with Ellensburg’s Abuse Support and Prevention Education Now to host the second annual Route to Hope 5k. Proceeds raised by the run were donated to ASPEN.

With April being sexual assault awareness month, the Wellness Center and ASPEN wanted to use the 5k as a way to promote awareness.

“ASPEN is underfunded and they needed help and wanted to do a 5k,” Eric Scott, coordinator of special events for University Recreation said.

The run started at 9 a.m. in front of the Welcome Center and continued through downtown Ellensburg, finishing at the Welcome Center.

“The reason why they put the 5k route through the town is directly associated with how ASPEN is a supporting entity of the community,” Joey Garriott, Central Washington student and ASPEN volunteer said.

ASPEN is a non-profit program offered by Central Washington which provides students and the local community with support and services for those affected by sexual assault and violence. Volunteers and students from the Center of Leadership and Community Engagement were on hand to help get runners registered and to help direct runners along the course. During the event, ASPEN set up an awareness booth so participants could learn about it organizationand ways to help.

“The big thing about ASPEN all the time, is to create awareness and support,” Joey Garriott said.

As the runners neared the end of the race, volunteers stood around the finish line to cheer them on. After the race, Fire & Smoke mobile catering was on site to offer lunch to the participants.

For those who missed out on the chance to participate, the third annual Route to Hope 5k will take place next year on April 26.