Lopes Earn Three Top Five Finishes in Age Groups at Run to Fight Children’s Cancer
By: Taylor Browne/GCU Staff
It’s all about running for a cause.
The Grand Canyon University Running Club participated in the 9th Annual GCU Run to Fight Children’s Cancer – which spanned the entire GCU campus – on Saturday. The Lopes placed three runners in the top five of their respective age groups in what was the second year participating in the largest race in Arizona that is dedicated to raising awareness for pediatric cancer.
“The kids are always improving in their times,” said Lopes’ Head Coach Kim Sims. “They have all gotten faster, grown, and developed in different races and distances. They like to challenge themselves and have learned to make running a part of their lifestyle.”
The GCU Run to Fight Children’s Cancer is an annual event hosted at the GCU campus. All of the proceeds go towards bringing awareness and funding towards children’s cancer awareness. The race has attracted thousands of runners to participate, give back and support the lifesaving treatment at Phoenix Children’s hospital.
“Running for a cause makes it that much more enjoyable,” said Sims. “You get to give to somebody else and gives you something to train for. The kids love to pick the races that give back and support a cause.”
Lopes’ Jenna Miller won the 5k (3.1 miles) race, finishing out of 737 runners. Miller finished with an impressive time of 20:49 with a 6:42 minute pace.
For Miller, this race had a special meaning.
Miller was not only running for a cause, but also running for her brother who had battled with cancer. Not far behind Miller were her parents who also participated in the race.
“It was really cool to know that I was actively doing something to help,” said Miller. “My brother had cancer and this race impacted me directly. I got to run with my parents. Even if they were a little bit behind me, they were still having fun. Running is something we’ve always done together and it was cool having them there at one of my races.”
GCU had several booths set up, games for the kids and tributes to children who are currently battling cancer.
“It was a super positive environment that celebrated life,” said Miller. “Everyone was upbeat and excited to be there and race.”
GCU Running Club Run to Fight Children’s Cancer Results
| NAME | RACE | AGE GROUP | PLACE | TIME |
| Ryan McQuillan | 10K | M16-19 | 5th | 39:25 |
| Julia Allen | 10K | F18-24 | 3rd | 46:06 |
| Jenna Miller | 5K | F18-24 | 1st | 20:49 |
| Brittany Wagner | 5K | F20-24 | 124th | 35:12 |
GCU Running Club: Kiss Me I’m Irish Race
GCU Running Club also had runners participating in the Kiss Me I’m Irish race on Saturday to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
Lopes’ Samuel Anderson, Faith Blackburn, and Elizabeth McMillan all finished in the top twenty finishes in their age group.
GCU Running Club Kiss Me I’m Irish Results
| NAME | RACE | AGE GROUP | PLACE | TIME |
| Samuel Anderson | Half Marathon | M20-24 | 18th | 1:38:11 |
| Faith Blackburn | Half Marathon | F15-19 | 12th | 1:40:11 |
| Elizabeth McMillan | 8K | F15-19 | 7th | 40:35 |
Interested in running around GCU? Visit GCU to learn more about campus and events!
