UA students, staff, athletes and people of all ages from around Tucson tested their endurance and ran the grueling Gates Pass on Saturday afternoon to raise money for kids.
The 4th annual “”Sundown at the Pass,”” a five-mile or one-mile run/walk, was sponsored by the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, and raised money for the Roy P. Drachman Prevention Fund for Children.
The run generally raises more than $6,000 in cash and $75,000 in donated services, said Donna Knight, one of the event organizers and the program coordinator at the College of Public Health.
There are generally about 700 to 750 participants each year, and they can choose to walk or run one mile or five miles, Knight said.
The five-mile run is timed, and a $500 award is given to the winner, who this year was Kyle Goklish, a history senior, who finished with a time of 25:52.1.
Most of the people out in the sun at the event were just there to have a good time, such as Lily Pape, a freshman majoring in English and Spanish.
“”This is a good cause,”” Pape said. “”It’s a wholesome event, great for the whole family, and a great thing to do.””
Kenny Quirk, an electrical engineering sophomore, was just out to hit the pavement for the day and to help raise money for kids while he was at it.
“”I’m a runner,”” Quirk said. “”I just like to run. It seems like this is going to be tough because of all the hills, but it should be fun.””
Gates Pass was closed down for two and a half hours while the run took place, and runners were shuttled to the starting line at the Wildlife Museum, Knight said.
“”It’s the only time that the pass is closed down for an event like this,”” Knight said. “”It’s an awesome run/walk during sundown, and you don’t even have to worry about traffic.””
The finish line was inside Old Tucson Studios, at the Town Square, and participants enjoyed a barbeque dinner while they watched the awards ceremony.
Julie Sapp, a volunteer at the event and an administrative secretary at the College of Public Health, said she was brand new to the event this year.
“”It’s really cool to see everyone come out and participate,”” Sapp said. “”I’m just going to walk the five-mile course. Maybe I’ll beat somebody.””
The Roy P. Drachman Prevention Fund for Children helps support public health students to complete internships and research projects that promote healthy behavior, nutrition and physical activity in children.
