FAYETTEVILLE – The American Marketing Association University of Arkansas Collegiate Chapter hosted its annual 5K for an Educated Kenya Sunday, April 27. The race began at 2 p.m. starting and ending on Old Main lawn on the University of Arkansas Campus. 

This event is hosted every year to raise money to provide Kenyan students scholarships for high school tuition. High school fees in Kenya range from $500 to $1,200 a year depending on the school, while many people living there make less than $50 a month. AMA partners with Peter Kosgei, an Olympian and former University of Arkansas student and track star. Even though Kosgei is a 14 time All American, 10 time All SEC and 5 time SEC Champion, he too faced difficulties with the cost of high school in Kenya.

In 2005, as a sophomore at the University of Arkansas, he began paying high school fees for two students in his native village each year by setting aside a portion of his student athlete meal plan each month. Today, he continues to support more than 10 students a year with full or partial fees in an effort to free children from their generational circle with a lack of educational opportunity.

The 5k for an Educated Kenya was developed to help Peter continue to support students in his hometown. Through runner registration and the generous support of local sponsors, the University of Arkansas American Marketing Association was able to sponsor three high school students this year. “The 5k for an educated Kenya was a great experience that allowed us not only to help out Peter Kosgei with a great cause, but it also gave us the opportunity to bond with the local community. We could not be successful without the support of our sponsors,” according to Ray Gervasi, one of the AMA members responsible for securing many of the local sponsorships.

The 2014 sponsors included Clif Bar, Geraldi’s, Mango’s Taco Shop, Mark Zweig Inc., PepsiCo, Sundown Services, Taco Bell., Walker Brothers, and the Walton College dean’s office. Along with being recognized on AMA’s website, Facebook and other social media accounts, sponsor logos were displayed on distance signs that lined the course.

“It was inspiring to see how many businesses and people in the community wanted to help further education in Kenya,” according to Lauren Johnson, one of the AMA members. “Peter’s story is so enlightening that I’m excited for AMA to continue hosting the 5k annually so more people can be inspired by his legacy.”

Forty runners attended the event even with threats of severe weather. “We were afraid with the severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings in the days leading up to the event that we would have to cancel the event” according to Candace Gooding. “Luckily the weather during the entire race was beautiful and we still had a good turnout. Thank goodness the rain didn’t come until after everyone was home”

Peter Kosgei attended the event, both sounding the starting horn for the race and handing out awards. Kosgei also jogged the 5k with the other participants.

Awards were given to the top three places and the Greek organizations with the highest attendance. Beta Theta Pi was the fraternity with the highest participation. There was a tie between Pi Beta Phi and Alpha Omicron Pi for highest sorority participation. 

AMA students spent the entire semester planning for this event. “Planning a 5k takes a lot of work” says AMA officer Breeana Palomino, “even with all of the time we put in, this event would not have been a success without the help of our gracious volunteers.”

Plans are already being made for next year’s 5k, “We expect this event to continue growing year after year as more of the community knows the story that inspires the race. AMA is excited to see what next year has in store” Alberto Torres, outgoing vice president of community service. Next year’s 5k is hoping to sponsor even more students.

For more information about the 5k for an Educated Kenya or about our sponsors, please visit us at  www.uarkama.com/5kKenya/, on Twitter @uarkama or on facebook.com/UniversityofArkansasAMA.