Members of The University of Memphis and the Memphis communitywill join forces to raise funds and heart rates for the HumanMovement Sciences and Education Department.
The sixth annual Dash and Splash will take place on Friday, Aug.16, at 7 p.m., beginning at the Student Recreation and FitnessCenter. The event is open to anyone and features a 2-mile walk/runand a 500-meter swim.
"It's a fun kind of thing with a lot of different divisions andlevels of participation," said Eddie Ellsworth HMSE instructor andDash and Splash volunteer.
Participants are divided into 13 different categories, accordingto age and gender. There is also a relay division for those whowant to share the experience with a partner. The structure of theevent allows for ages ranging from nine to well over 70.
Sue Ellen Binkley, HMSE graduate student, said she enjoyedparticipating in the event last year.
"I had a great time with it," Binkley said. "It was a greatcommunity event. It brought a lot of people together. It didn'tfeel like a school event."
Under the direction of physical education instructor DickFadgen, the event has grown consistently since it began. Last year,Ellsworth said, participation was at approximately 200 people. Thisyear, he said he is expecting even more, especially from The U of Mcommunity.
Harriette Lavenue, co-director of the event said she encouragesU of M students to participate.
"I had quite a few students from my classes (participate lastyear), but we'd like to get more," she said. "It's a way they canhave fun and also help the school."
The registration fees purchase new equipment for the physicaleducation department, Lavenue said.
Those who register for the event before April 5 can enter for$15. Registration after that date will cost $17. Those who registerfor the relay, a two-person event, must pay $20 registrationfee.
The first 100 registrants receive water bottles from OutdoorsInc., and all participants will receive a Dash and Splash T-shirt.Medals are also given to those who finish in the top three of eachdivision. Pizza and other refreshments will be provided followingthe race.
During last year's event, competitors got a chance to restmidway through the race, Fadgen said.
"Last year, we had a little trouble," Fadgen said. "A train camethrough during the event. We had about 25 people that had to waitfor the train to pass."
The course crosses the train tracks that run parallel toSouthern Avenue twice during the race, event organizers said.
"(The participants) basically had to stop and start fromscratch," Ellsworth said. "We had them jogging in place for a fewminutes, just 300 to 400 yards from the finish."
Students concerned about being fit enough to compete in the raceshould not worry, Binkley said, adding that no prior training isnecessary.
"It's such an unintimidating event," Binkley said. "You don'thave to be in great shape to enter."
For more information on Dash and Splash, contact Laquita Davissat 678-2321.
