Founded by a group of nine University of Oregon students, the Moonlight Five charity race is proud to be taking place again this weekend.
Sparked by a mutual love of running and mobilizing college students, the Moonlight Five features a five mile course illuminated by luminarias to light the way for runners of all ages, individually or in competitive groups.
“It great to have this running event that celebrates athleticism and spirit of Eugene but to also contribute to something bigger,” said Josh Sweigert, this year’s running director and senior at the UO. “It was something where we learned as we went. We had that mutual love of giving back to the community and we thought that having a run would be a memorable event.”
The plans for the run started two years ago by Nick Ray, Ben Vermillion and Josh Sweigert, all students at the UO who are interested in the medical field and organizing something bigger than their academics. Before the process, a grandmother of one of the nine participating students died due to a stroke, and it was then that they decided to dedicate their event proceeds to stroke support, therapy and rehabilitation.
“I was blown away by the enthusiasm of the staff and runners last year,” Dylan Schumacher said about last year’s run.” I think the event is a community experience, and we want everybody to be able to come together for a single night to have fun and raise money for a great cause.”
After, the group joined Sacred Heart Riverbend Hospital along with sponsors Neurospine Institute, Good Samaritan Society, Dutch Bros. Coffee and eight other local businesses to support stroke victims.
After raising almost $7,800 last year for the Advanced Primary Stroke Center, this year the group projected to have 100 more registered for the run making attendance almost 900 runners, as well as expanding their audience and taking the run to Ray’s hometown in Nashville.
“It’s extremely gratifying and seeing it happen with another person in charge,” Nick Ray said, founder of the race and graduate of the University. “We started it with the intention of doing it again, and we could not be more excited about it.”