This week, CWU student media will be hosting the Harvest 5K. The purpose of the event is to raise money for Pulse magazine and Observer members to attend additional trainings and conferences.
Tara Long, CWU’s Student Media Business Manager, explained, “We wanted to offer something a bit different, and with that chose to have an event geared more towards faculty and staff and their families.”
Student media has yearly fundraisers but the Harvest 5K is the newest addition to their event schedule. It is the hope of all involved that the event is a family-friendly, fun environment, in which media staff and students come together and enjoy a little healthy competition.
Student media has always shown creativity and originality not only in its written works but also in its fundraising and team building, and this event is no exception.
Nick Moskaluk, a sophomore majoring in English, has shown interest in the Harvest 5K, and said that although he rarely considers participating in races he feels, “that this isn’t just another run the school is throwing.  This seems to actually be very well put together, and is something I would strongly consider running in.”
Along with both the 5K run and the 1K run, the event will host a variety of other events for all those who attend. There will be cupcakes and other baked goods provided by Cle Elum’s 509 Bake House, two bouncy houses for the younger runners and a giant swing for ages 10+.
A professional photographer who will be there to capture the event—whose photos will be eligible for free download after the event.
There are prizes for the winners as well; the male and female winners of the 5K will win a free Thanksgiving turkey. Wellington the Wildcat will also be there to hand out medals to all runners along with congratulatory high-fives and hugs.
Sign-ups can be done are still open and tickets are being sold at $20 for the 5K and $12 for the 1K until Nov. 11. Registration can also be done the day of the race and prices are $25 for the 5K and $15 for the 1K. Go to the CWU Observer Facebook page for the link to the race’s website to purchase tickets and more information.
The race officially starts at 9 a.m. on Saturday and bib pick-up and registration starts at 8:30 a.m. All racers will meet at the CWU Challenge Course.