5k Raises Money To Fight Cancer

On Saturday, April 19, the Hokie Hope 5K was held at the Virginia Tech Cross Country Course in an effort to raise money for the American Cancer Society and the Recreational Sports Initiative at Virginia Tech.

People from all walks of life came together to support the fight for cancer, a disease that has affected the lives of so many people.

Before the race, participants were warming up, stretching and going through their usual rituals to prepare for the run.

One participant in particular stood out amongst the crowd as the runners lined up to start the race.

Janice Huppert of Christiansburg has run in the Hokie Hope 5K every year since it’s founding.  She very openly shared that she has recently recovered from ovarian cancer. 

After undergoing six months of chemotherapy, Huppert has just started to walk again.  She finished her chemotherapy only six weeks ago and was very excited to be able to walk in the race this year.

Huppert walked with her husband and finished.

“To be able to be here and enjoy it meant a lot to me,” says Huppert, “and I hope I’ll always be here to enjoy it.”

As the runners finally reached the finish-line friends and family were anxiously lined up cheering them on.  The runners, exhausted, were able to rejuvenate at the refreshment tent that had been provided for them.

All the runners gathered to eat and talk with their fellow runners, relax, and listen to music performed by Always Morning as they waited to hear the results.

Julie Burke, a sophomore at Virginia Tech, ran in the 5K for the first time this year. 

“People in my family have been affected by cancer,” says Burke, “so I wanted to run to support the cause.”

The winners for each age group were announced and given a trophy for their achievement.

The overall winner for the One-Mile Fun Run was Brian Stewart with a time of 5 minutes, 10 seconds, and the overall winner for the 5K was George Probst with a time of 16:28.