The third annual Run the World 5k race is set to kick off at Risman Plaza Saturday, Sept. 9.

Anyone is eligible to sign up for the race, which will begin at 8:30 a.m. Participants have a chance to win a $1,000 scholarship.

Edward Butch, the academic recruitment and retention director of the College of Arts and Sciences, co-founded Run the World alongside Kristin Stasiowski, the assistant dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. 

Butch expressed his excitement for the upcoming event and spoke about the origin of the race.

“We started it because there is no specific scholarship fund dedicated solely to study abroad for all students at the university,” Butch said. “There are certain colleges that have them, but there is no fund out there for any student, any campus, any major. We wanted to change that.”

Butch said Run the World 5K was created as a way to raise money for students who plan to study abroad. 

Last year the race was able to raise 10 separate $1,000 scholarships, which are eligible to both main and regional campus students, and can be used at any point in the winning students’ college careers. 

This year’s race has transformed into a small series, Butch said. The race is a new extension of the Run the World race that includes a race at Kent State’s Stark campus on April 14 in North Canton.

Students can sign up for one race for $25, or both for $45. 

Butch said he believes this year’s turnout will be similar to last year’s, which included 500 participants.

“I would love to grow even more and go more toward 550 or 600,” he said. “But for me, I think a good goal is to be right at that 500 mark.”

Students are still able to sign up, including on race day. To register, visit https://www.kent.edu/RunTheWorld.

Eden Kraus is the international affairs reporter. Contact her at [email protected].