Trinity Students Cheers on Street2Feet Race

Street2Feet participants pass
Flores Street on Saturday.
(Photo by Meredith Peckman)

By Meredith Peckham

At 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, more than 30 Trinity University students queued up along Flores Street in downtown San Antonio, to cheer on participants of the Street2Feet 5K running race.

The race began at 8:00 a.m. with the starting line on West Houston Street. More than 1,000 people registered to run, including 40 homeless individuals who had trained for months for this 5 kilometer race, according to Stree2Feet co-founder Elizabeth Rosenblum.

Street2Feet provides exercise programs for individuals experiencing homelessness in San Antonio, as a way of building healthy body and spirit. “This race is a fundraiser and an extension of Street2Feet,” said Rosenblum. She noted that both homeless and settled individuals participated.

Trinity students began cheering on the first group of runners passing by Flores Street with enthusiasm at around 8:15 a.m. “It’s wonderful cheering people on as they run past our group with smiles on their faces. We’re all working towards a better community,” said Lilah Bevins, a sophomore majoring in Computer Science and Business Analytics and Technology. “We all love to be here and help,” said Camryn Beall, a freshman from Colorado.

These Trinity students are members of SPURS Sorority and volunteered at the race to benefit their chosen philanthropy, Haven for Hope, a nonprofit organization that provides homeless people a safe place to sleep, hot meals, medical and mental healthcare. Each semester, SPURS members volunteer at Haven For Hope's campus downtown or host events to benefit the nonprofit.

“This was not only SPURS’ first time volunteering at the Street2Feet 5K, but also the first time for Trinity students,” said Danielle Ruiz, a junior Sociology major.

For Makenna Bentley, junior psychology major, volunteering at the race meant a lot. “I love getting involved with the community and cheering people on,” she said.

The energy from Trinity students was palpable and recognized by event participants, who decided to give the students a trophy for being the most spirited amongst volunteers and supporters of the race.