E.A.R.T.H. 5k race raises environmental awareness

Members of the Morgantown community were challenged to "go for the green" as they raced for environmental awareness Saturday.

Monongalia County Solid Waste Authority, the Board of Park and Recreation Commissioners and The Dominion Post sponsored the annual Impact E.A.R.T.H 5K race at the Ruby McQuain Memorial Park.

Impact E.A.R.T.H., which stands for Environmental Awareness and Respecting Tomorrow’s Home, strives to create awareness about the wide variety of environmental issues and to inform county residents of what can be done locally to help the Earth.

Proceeds from Impact E.A.R.T.H. will go toward a local grant program which will provide money to environmental, recycling and beautification projects around the county, said race director Laura Layva.

"This day and age there are a lot more environmental issues," she said. "It’s important to keep the environment clean, be less wasteful of materials and try to be more conscious."

Nearly 100 participants took part in the race to donate to the cause.

"For some of these runners this is their second or third race of the day," Layva said. "It’s really nice to know that rain or shine, they came out and chose this race, as well."

West Virginia University graduate forest ecology student Mark Burnham said he was excited to use the Impact E.A.R.T.H. as an opportunity to prepare for future races.

"I’m running the Pittsburgh Half Marathon next weekend, so this is my tune-up," he said. "I also study forest ecology, so this race was the closest to my heart."

"The 5K race was an opportunity for me to enjoy something I’m passionate about, while creating a lasting impact," said runner Erika Rucker.

"I run almost every weekend, so I thought this one would be a great way to continue that," Rucker said." This is something that I think is important to do. We need to take care of the environment to secure it for the future generations."