The 5K Run/Walk begins on Meeting Street.

The Sixth Annual Laura Griffin Memorial 5K Run/Walk drew more than 600 registrants this year. They were made up of runners, walkers, and some folks who didn’t participate in the 3.1 mile race but just wanted to support a good cause.

The event, held Saturday, January 19, on a cool, brisk morning, attracted serious runners as well as the casual joggers and walkers. Mike Aiken, 23, of Mt. Pleasant had the fastest (non wheel chair) time of 16:16. The top women’s time of 19:40 was posted by Lisa Tolley, 34, of Seneca, S.C. The wheel chair division was won by Eugene Wellons of Ravenel, S.C. in a time of 15:41. Laura Griffin’s brother Richard, who resides in New York City, captured his 35-39 year old division in 21:01.

A native of Laurens, S.C., Laura Griffin was director of the College of Charleston’s Office of Substance Abuse Prevention, a Ph.D. candidate, and an avid runner when she died in 1996 as a result of a hit and run car accident that happened as she jogged along Charleston’s Battery.

Since it began in 1997, the Laura Griffin Memorial 5K Run/Walk has raised $250,000 for C of C drug and alcohol awareness programs, student scholarships, and a fellowship in the school's Office of Counseling and Substance Abuse Services. The event seeks to promote healthy lifestyles, substance abuse prevention, bicycle and pedestrian safety, and organ donations (Laura Griffin was an organ donor).

Runners approach the finish line on George Street

The race was followed by a Health Expo in C of C’s Silcox Gymnasium. The expo included information on alcohol and drug education, safety issues, free helmets for bike riders, massages, and several health screenings.

The Sixth Annual Laura Griffin Memorial 5K Run/Walk was sponsored by C of C’s Wellness Center, Department of Physical Education and Health, and the W.A.V.E. student organization, as well as Piggy Wiggly, Wal-Mart, the Rehabilitation Centers of Charleston, Colucci Jewelers, and Charleston Massage & Bodyworks.

Complete race results can be found at www.cofc.edu/lauragriffinrun.

### (Photos by Michelle Epstein, Class of ‘03, C of C College Relations)

Contact: Patrick Harwood
College Relations
(843) 953-2548
harwoodp@cofc.edu