Those who hear Cold Stone Creamery and 5K in the same sentence may find it kind of ironic, but Cold Stone and the senior public relations team held the “Eat and Run 5K” to promote Cold Stone’s healthy smoothies and benefit the UA wheelchair basketball team.
The 5K began at noon on Saturday and ended with the public relations team passing out Cold Stone trips to supporters and participants after the race. Registration for individuals was $15 and for teams was $20.
Glen Dodd, owner of Cold Stone and also a participant in the race, said he wanted the event to accomplish three goals.
“We want the event to let the community to know about Cold Stone’s healthy products and the upcoming addition of the smooth and creamy yogurt that will be available next weekend,” he said. “Most importantly we want to use this event as a way to help the wheelchair basketball team and generate funds for them.”
Dodd said he wants everyone involved to have an overall good time.
Dodd partnered with Emily Seelenfreund, one of the women’s wheelchair basketball team members, and finished the 5K in 19 minutes.
Seelenfreund said she was excited to help and participate with the race.
“We have a really great relationship with Cold Stone and are very appreciative of the proceeds and the publicity that comes with this event,” she said.
The course began at Cold Stone and went down University toward the direction of the Quad. Runners then turned left on Hackberry and made a left at the Biology building running in front of Gorgas and back to Cold Stone. At the mid point, they either drank a “Smogurt” or waited for their partner to drink it and then finished the race.
Mayor Walt Maddox and his daughter Taylor attended the race and participated as a team.
“We came out today because this event is going to a great cause,” he said. “It also gives Taylor and I the chance to work together.”
Maddox laughed and said while Taylor may have the better end of the deal by eating the Smogurt and him running, he still was excited about the chance to do the event together.
Lauren Turpen, team leader for the senior public relations team, said when coordinating the event, Dodd liked the idea of incorporating the run and had a good relationship with the wheelchair basketball team so suggested them as the organization the 5K would benefit.
“Coordinating this event has been great practice for the real world on how to work with a business and organize events,” she said.
Megan Barnes, a senior on the public relations team, said their target audience was people in the community and primarily those with a healthy mindset.
“I believe one of the main reasons why our public relations school is number one in the country is because of the ability to have so much hands-on experience,” she said. “After this I am definitely prepared to graduate.”
Brent Hardin, coach for the women’s wheelchair basketball team, didn’t come in running attire for the race but took off down the road with his son on his shoulders for a portion of the race.
“I didn’t come prepared to run, but my son said he wanted to participate so we did,” he said.
He said the wheelchair basketball team is glad Cold Stone has an interest in them and is willing to support the team. The girls’ team most recently successfully defended the championship title and is now the three-time national champions.
The first, second and third place runners individually and with teams received $75, $50 and $25 respectively.
