Carson 5k raises more than $23K

Runners said they could feel Eve Carson's presence at the Memorial 5k for Education on Saturday morning held in honor of the former student body president.

About 1000 people wound their way across campus raising nearly $23500 to benefit the Eve Marie Carson Memorial Fund" First Book and Clyde Erwin Elementary School.

""Eve's spirit was definitely motivating me"" sophomore Hannah Friedman said. It brought such a good energy to campus. It's for a good cause; it's a really good way to remember Eve; and it's a good way to start the day.""

The event" sponsored by Pi Beta Phi sorority and Phi Delta Theta fraternity had the largest turnout of any previous 5k event held in Chapel Hill organizers said.

It was also the first one allowed to run through Polk Place" finishing in front of South Building.

""I think it's a tribute to Eve for this many people to come out"" said Sallie Wallace, who helped organize the event. It was her legacy that attracted people to the event.""

Two-thirds of the proceeds will benefit the Eve Marie Carson Memorial Junior-Year Merit Scholarship. Carson had begun creating a junior-year scholarship while she was in office.

The other third of the money will be split between First Book" a nonprofit organization that gives books to preschoolers in low-income families and Clyde Erwin Elementary School to improve test scores of underprivileged students.

Those two groups are the beneficiaries of the two Greek organizations' philanthropy efforts.

Improving public education was also an important issue for Carson who taught science at a Chapel Hill elementary school as part of the Inspire program and earlier was a tutor at a Durham middle school.

After her shooting death in March her parents asked memorial donations to be made to the Clarke County Foundation for Public Education in her hometown of Athens" Ga.

""I think giving to education  and giving to the future — and giving to a scholarship that helps people like me — is a great cause"" said first-year runner David Horton. I had a wonderful time.""

The event featured speeches from several people who knew Carson well" including Katie Sue Zellner Carson's chief of staff and good friend" former Chancellor James Moeser and Student Body President J.J. Raynor.

The organizers said they were pleased and surprised by the event's success and hope it continues next year.

""We knew there would be a lot of interest. We knew it had a lot of potential and a lot of support" but just seeing it is a different ballgame" said organizer Worth Morgan. It's incredible.""



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