TCU Strike Down Cancer, a student organization, is hosting its annual 5K Color Run at 9 a.m. on Saturday in collaboration with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. This will be the organization’s second Color Run since its COVID-19 hiatus from 2020 to 2022.

This year, SDC hopes to raise $1,500 to reach its yearly $5,000 donation goal for St. Jude. Organizers. The organization also aims to surpass last year’s 100 participants in runner turnout and incorporate the greater Fort Worth community into the event. Additionally, SDC wishes to promote its presence on campus and partnership with St. Jude.

David Peebles, vice president of fundraising and senior biology major, said this year’s Color Run stands out because SDC has utilized its experience from last year’s race to maximize the influence of the event.

“I believe that we have a stronger sense of direction and have been more unified as an organization to make this run as fun and impactful as possible,” Peebles said. “This year is different because we learned what could be improved upon from our first Color Run and what worked well.”

Improving upon last year’s Color Run, SDC has implemented a real 5K course to add structure to the race. Organizers have also included a new feature at the finish line, where participants can write letters to St. Jude’s cancer patients to add a personal touch to their donation.

Participants can choose to run or walk the track, and rainbow-colored powder will be thrown at them throughout the race.

Local vendors, including Nekter Juice Bar, Celsius, Heim BBQ and Meat U Anywhere BBQ, will sponsor this year’s run. SuperFrog will also make an appearance to support the runners and take photos with attendees.

Although it is the second annual Color Run, SDC plans to cement the event as a long-lasting tradition at TCU.

“We plan to keep doing the Color Run as long as this club runs at TCU,” said Christine Sayegh, a sophomore biology major and the secretary for SDC.

The run starts at 9 a.m. Saturday, with check-in at 8:30 a.m. at Lot 13 on Berry Street. Registration is open until the race begins, with a $15 fee.