On your mark, get set, go!  Runners and walkers took off from the starting line at Westminster College’s Earth Day 5k on Saturday, April 18.  The event was sponsored by the Sierra Student Coalition, and proceeds benefited the field station.

            The race’s course wound around Lake Brittain, up the nature trail to the labyrinth, and around the tennis courts before finishing with a final lap around the lake.  Afterwards, several door prizes were raffled, and Nalgenes were awarded to the winner from each age group.

            Ross Wastvedt ran the 5k for the second time, after having a positive experience in 2008.

            “I had started to run more regularly at this time last year and I thought it would be fun and challenging,” he says.  “This year’s race was about the same as last year’s, which is a good thing.”

            The race is in its second consecutive year and was organized last year by Leanna Stitt, Westminster College class of 2008.

            “I don’t think a lot of people realize that last year wasn’t the first time we had it,” she says.  “Sandy Edmiston actually started it in 2005, but then it didn’t happen again until 2008.”

            As the organizer, Stitt contacted local businesses, asking for donations of their products or services for the raffle.  She also created an online registration system with the help of a computer proficient.

            All runners and walkers received t-shirts after registering for the race.

            “The shirts come from Goodwill and then are printed with a design so each one is different,” says Wastvedt.  “They were just as nice this year as last year.”