Many people think of a 5K or a 10K race when talking about a run, but most people would not expect to hear about a 1K race. However, on the morning of April 8, 2017, community members of all ages gathered to run or walk the first annual Geneva 1K organized by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). The Beaver Falls community and students and faculty of Geneva College came together to race in support of Dr. Terri Williams, a professor of Psychology and Human Services at Geneva College.

“I have gotten the privilege of getting to know Dr. Williams in many of my classes and have learned in a short period of time how whole-hearted and caring she is,” said Hannah Logan, junior Psychology major.

Dr. Williams was recently diagnosed with cancer and has been receiving chemotherapy treatments at the UPMC Beaver Medical Oncology Center the last couple of months.

The course of the race was a challenging one. Starting in front of the track and soccer field at the bottom of the hill from the college, the course continued up the access road hill in front of Reeves Field and finished outside of Clarke Hall.

Kids from Tiger Pause Youth Ministry, students from the Beaver County Christian School cross country team, Geneva College students, and professors/faculty of the college participated. The race was divided into four categories of runners/walkers based on age: kids (0-12), teens (13-17), college-aged (18-25), and NARP (non-athletic real people) or those 26+. For those that did not want to run there was an option to walk or a goofy option to push a friend up the hill in a stroller, shopping cart, wagon, or anything else that has 4 wheels and a handle.

The top female and male runner from each category received a gift card and the top runner overall received an iPad. The fastest runner and winner of the iPad was Devaughn Johns, a freshman Geneva Men’s Soccer player. At the race’s conclusion, participants and spectators enjoyed snacks while partaking in lawn games, including Kan Jam, football, Cornhole and sand volleyball. A face painting station was set up for the kids as well.

Through the $2 student and $5 community member admission cost and other donations $600 was raised for patients at UPMC Beaver Medical Oncology in honor of Dr. Terri Williams. 

“Dr. Williams has chosen to give the money to others receiving treatment at her center showing just how selfless she is even while facing such a huge hurdle,” said Caleb Musselman, CCO campus minister to athletes at Geneva College.

The money will be used to buy Giant Eagle gift cards for UPMC cancer patients who struggle to pay for food for their family and the medical bills associated with treatment.

“Thank you to those who came to run and walk and those who supported through donations,” Musselman comments. FCA members were satisfied with how the event turned out and hope to have even better attendance in 2018.