A five-kilometer walk and run event was hosted on campus on Sunday to provide awareness of the genocide occuring in the Darfur region of Sudan and to raise money for relief efforts.

The UA’s Student Anti-Genocide Coalition (STAND) sponsored the run, which was titled Dash for Darfur. This was the second time the race has been held on campus and a larger number of runners participated this year than last.

“”It’s great to have all of these people come out,”” said Aeen Asghar, president of STAND. “”It shows, economically, that people are more willing to donate their money and time.””  

Approximately 44 runners began at a chalked starting line at 8 a.m. in front of the Eddie Lynch Athletics Pavilion by the UA Mall. The course went though the UA campus and followed east on Sixth Street and north on Campbell Avenue before ending back at the starting line. The best time recorded was 17 minutes.

“”I found out about the race at the Campus Rec Center when they were passing out flyers about a few days ago,”” said Cora Crecelius, an anthropology senior and one of the participants of the race. “”It sounded like fun and it was for a good cause so me and my friend signed up.””

This year the event raised about $700 from running entrance fees and donations. Asghar hopes that more people will continue to participate next year as away to raise awareness.

“”This is our main fundraising event,”” Asghar said. “”It is also a public awareness event as well, people are able to learn more about what we are trying to do.””

Funds raised during the run will go to genocide intervention networks and protection programs for refugee camps in Darfur. The club raises $1,000 annually and said it wants to increase this number in the future.

The STAND chapter in Arizona started in 2005 at Desert Vista High School in Phoenix after a history class learned about the conflict between Arabs and non-Arabs in Sudan over natural resources. When some of the founding members went to the UA they expanded to a club on campus.