On Sunday morning at 11 a.m. on North Quad, Flaherty Hall hosted its annual signature event, “Flaherty Fights 5k,” which entails a three-mile run or a one-mile walk around Notre Dame, supporting the Saint John’s Cancer Institute.
Approximately 85 runners participated, donating $15 and receiving white t-shirts prior to the start of the race. The course was a loop that started on North Quad, went around God Quad and the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, crossed St. Mary’s Lake and finished back on North Quad.
Flaherty volunteers were stationed on the course, holding encouraging sign and cheering loudly for the runners as they passed by. They held cups of pink powder which were thrown at the runners in celebration of the cause. Additionally, passersby who were on campus from the football game cheered on runners as they saw bursts of pink being thrown.
Freshman participant Arielle Andrade Ramirez said that the run was a “two-in-one” for her.
“I got to give to a great cause while also getting my workout for the day. I also loved the pink powder part. I am looking forward to more events like this one across campus," she said. Runners also supported each other by staying in groups and cheering people on as they finished.
Saint John’s Cancer Institute is a California-based charity dedicated to understanding and curing cancer. The event honors Mary Flaherty, the hall’s donor and Fr. Theodore Hesburgh’s niece, who was a breast cancer survivor.
Flaherty Hall's vice president, junior Brynn Wilary, wrote in a statement to The Observer that the race “pays homage to her fight and is continuation of her personal donations and support for St. John’s after receiving treatment there. The donations help to advance research and treatment for Breast Cancer patients.”
Wilary also said her “favorite part about the tradition is getting to cheer on the runners with all of the Flaherty girls! We always have high dorm participation, and it’s so fun to see all of the grade levels come together to support the cause.”
Flaherty Hall’s president, junior Lauren Whitlatch, said they plan the run specifically in October to recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
“We give our money to Saint John's Cancer Institute because they're doing research on breast cancer and treatment,” she stated.
She also mentioned that her favorite moment centers around individual pictures taken before and after the race. “We give everyone a free t-shirt, and by the time they come back to the finish, they are covered in red and pink powder. So it’s always fun seeing them before and after the race,” she said.
Whitlatch said the event honors Mary Flaherty and provides for an important cause.
“[It] gives back to our community and is a nod to Mary Flaherty, as it recognizes her as our founder, and it gives to a charity that she is really passionate about,” she said. “It is a good cause because we are a women’s dorm and it focuses on a women’s medical issue. It is a nice thing to do in the month of October to raise awareness.”
