Runners raise more than 27 thousand euros during Charity Run

During the Erasmus Charity Run, 350 students, staff and alumni raised more than 27,000 euros on Sunday. This broke last year’s record.

The Erasmus Charity Run is organised annually by Marketing & Communication and Erasmus Sport and is an official part of the NN Marathon Rotterdam. The minimum amount participants had to raise was 50 euros. 

Due to renovations around the Hofplein, this year’s distance was 10 kilometres instead of the usual quarter marathon

Participants could take part individually or join a team. ESSB Social Sprinters is the team that raised the most money this year: more than 3,700 euros. The individual participant who raised the most money is Cemre Karabiber. She raised 1,230 euros.

Running for scholarships

In total, all participants raised 27,233 euros. This means the target of 30,000 euros has nearly been reached. Project leaders Laurens Wielaard and Kim Elferink are proud of the result: both the funds raised and the number of participants have increased compared with last year, when 306 participants raised more than 24,000 euros. The number of donors grew from 860 to 1,185.

The proceeds of the Charity Run go to talented students who want to study at the university but do not have the financial means to do so. A scholarship costs 17,500 euros per student per year. 

Race day celebration

The day began early for the Charity Run team. As early as 6.30 the team started preparations at Erasmus University College. Around 7.15 the first runners arrived to collect their T-shirts, drink coffee and prepare for the group warm-up. After that the participants headed for the start.

Afterwards, they celebrated their achievements with drinks at Bokaal opposite the University College. That is what makes the day so special according to Wielaard: “We have really managed to build a close community over the years, it all comes together on a day like this.”

For the coming year Wielaard hopes the sporting rivalry between faculties will increase further and that even more participants will inspire each other to raise money.