Panhel hosts breast-cancer run

As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and as a capstone to Greek Week, the Panhellenic Council sponsored the seventh annual Rena Rowan Ribbon Run yesterday.

The run was a 5K route around campus that kicked off on a crisp afternoon at the Compass at 37th and Locust streets.

Ribbon Run Chairwoman and College senior Alli Wu said there were 163 registered participants and noted that the event garnered $5,000 for the Rena Rowan Breast Center at HUP's Abramson Cancer Center.

This year's donation campaign marked a change from years past, as families of Panhellenic women received donation pamphlets at home, which increased support for the cause, Wu said.

Participants paid a $15 donation to run and received a Rena Rowan T-shirt. For those who wished to take part in the event without pounding the pavement, there was a donation box as well as a raffle for gift cards from Philly hot spots such as South Moon Under, Knit Wit, Cereality and CitySports.

At 12:30 p.m., DJ Raheem "R to da Izza" Palmer, a Wharton senior, got adrenaline pumping with hip-hop beats while runners registered, hydrated and stretched in anticipation of the starting gun.

The race got off to a great start, though there was some confusion regarding the route. Few runners complained, saying raising money for breast-cancer treatment overshadowed this roadblock, especially because many runners have friends or relatives who have battled breast cancer.

While most participants were Greek undergraduates, the Drexel Club Track team, as well as Penn alumni and faculty, ran the 5K. Bill Turner of the Vice Provost for University Life's Office ran on behalf of his wife, who is a breast-cancer survivor. Though he joked that he was "probably the oldest person" at the race, his age did not stop him from finishing the race quickly.

The race was won in 18:13 by Ray Bordogna, a Penn alum and member of the Philadelphia Runner Club. He commented that it was a special experience "to run down Locust Walk for such a great cause, . [having] spent a lot of time" on the brick-laden path before.

Bordogna and five other fast finishers received gift cards and merchandise from Philadelphia Runner, a Center City running store.

Fatigued and famished runners were greeted with food from Allegro's Pizza and Lee's Hoagie House after crossing the finish line.

"The Ribbon Run was fun to plan, yet overwhelming at times," said Wu. "But [the Panhellenic community] came together to ensure a wonderful turnout for a very important cause."

Since the race's inception in 2000, the Panhellenic Council has raised $60,000 for the Rena Rowan Breast Center.

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