The neon outfits and glow sticks were broken out Saturday when Sigma Sigma Sigma hosted its annual Glow Run 5K to raise money for the Tri-Sigma Foundation.

The Foundation is a national philanthropy of Tri-Sigma.

It helps pay for therapists who help hospitalized children cope with illnesses and long hospital stays through play therapy. It also provides scholarships for those therapists and funds leadership conferences for women.

More than 400 people participated in the Glow Run and Tri-Sigma raised more than $5,500 for the philanthropy.

The run began and ended at the Carr Health Building, but snaked all around the city of Murray.

Lexy Gross, junior from Paducah, Ky., and Kristin Henson, sophomore from Hickory, Ky., organized the run. Henson said that she was pleased with the run and the turnout.

“There was a large turnout of runners and walkers for the event,” Henson said. “We had a goal to raise $5,000 for the Foundation and we well exceeded our goal. It was encouraging to see so many people come out and support the foundation.”

A Glow Run is a 5K with a twist. Participants are encouraged to wear neon clothing, glow sticks and even neon paint.

Tri-Sigma gave out a spirit award and an award for the winners of the male and female division for the fastest times.

“Everyone was encouraged to wear neon,” Henson said. “We gave out a spirit award to the person decked out in the most items of neon clothing. We sold glow sticks at the run that a lot of people wore during the race.”

Overall, the event was not about how fast the participants ran or walked, it was about having fun, dressing up and raising money for philanthropy.

Story by Madison Wepfer, Staff writer