Run 2 Palau raises $400 for students

About 40 runners took on the Run 2 Palau 5k Fun Run challenge Thursday afternoon at the American Memorial Park.

Hosted by members and supporters of REAL Christian Theater, the event featured a course that started at the AMP Pavilion. Runners made their way along the pathway to the Smiling Cove Marina, took a right turn and headed out towards Middle Road, then headed south to the AMP tennis courts before making their way to the Flag circle and back to the pavilion.

According to REAL Christian Theater director Sean Maycock, the event served as a venue for the group to raise funds for a trip to Palau this week. The group will perform for five days in Palau, and are scheduled to leave this Wednesday.

“It went really well,” Maycock said. “We were very happy with how it turned out. We were hoping that we would get more people, but we were pleasantly surprised with the people that did come too, so that that was a surprise. One of the things that was really nice was it’s our first time doing this ever, and so it was nice to hear from people who have been running awhile. People seem really appreciative and that made us feel really good.”

The run generated about $400 for the group, and Maycock stressed that the group is already looking forward to hosting the event annually.

“We definitely want to do it again, and this time, do it with more advance notice and promotion.

The group, which comprises of students from Marianas High School, Northern Marianas Academy, Grace Christian Academy, and Seventh Day Adventist School, has raised almost $8,000 for the trip.

“That also includes donations from parents, a dinner theater we did in April, letter writing campaign where students write to people and ask for support, fun run, a couple of plays, and of course the fun run,” Maycock said.

Records were kept for the race, and Maycock said the group wanted all runners to have fun.

“It’s a fun run and we wanted everybody to feel like they had a chance to get a little reward,” he said.

With that, a raffle drawing was conducted after the run, with prizes provided by the Pacific Islands Club, Galaxy Restaurant, and REAL Christian Theater.

“We really appreciate them stepping up especially at the last minute,” Maycock said of PIC and Galaxy Restaurant.