OsteoChallenge

Every year, the Penn State Dairy Science Club organizes OsteoChallenge, a 5K race that raises money for the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF). I had the opportunity to chair this race last year, when we raised a record $650 for the foundation to continue osteoporosis research and education.  This year, Chair Becky Wenger set a new record, raising more than $1,000 for NOF!

As I learned last year, an event like this one requires a lot of support from others. Dairy Science Club members planned, promoted and coordinated the event over the past few months. This year, after choosing the theme of "Running till the Cows Come Home," we thought about ways to promote the event.

Chair Becky Wenger checks in runners

We hung up flyers around campus and announced the race in our clubs and classes, and I was able to announce it in my jogging class. The Kinesiology Department emailed the flyer to professors and students. My jogging instructor let those who participated in the race count it for a missed class, so a few of my classmates came out for the race. Dairy Science club students were recruited the day of the event to register runners, stand at the halfway point to hand out water, write down times and make sure the food was ready.

It was amazing to me last year and this year how much planning can go into a three-hour event. Last year we didn’t have as much participation from the club as I would’ve liked, but this year club members stepped it up and helped to run a great event! I enjoy project management, and I'm glad I was able to help Becky with any questions that came up along the way at this year’s event.

Sponsors for the race helped offset the costs of t-shirts and food. This year, Allied Milk Producers Cooperative, Inc., Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association, Dairy Marketing Services, Galliker’s Dairy, Maryland and Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association, Wegman’s Food Market and Giant Foods all made substantial contributions for a successful OsteoChallenge. Most of the sponsors have been contributing to OsteoChallenge for several years. They are often Penn State grads that enjoy giving back to the Dairy Science Club.

Emma Green, Krystal Wasson and Crystal Hitz

We also welcomed Penn State Dairy Princess Emma Green, Pennsylvania Dairy Princess Krystal Wasson, and Pennsylvania Alternate Dairy Princess Crystal Hitz to the event. These three young ladies promoted three servings of dairy a day, along with regular exercise, to help prevent osteoporosis. They passed out promotional items and talked to the runners before and after the race.

Runners at the Start Line

Forty-eight runners came out on Saturday to support the NOF. Prizes were awarded to the top winners in each age division, and healthy snacks and drinks were available for everyone. Congratulations to Becky Wenger on a great job as chair of this year’s OsteoChallenge Race!

All of the runners and Dairy Science Club members