On Sunday, October 19th, over 1,800 students, parents, and supporters of the Iowa City Community School District lined up at the starting line for the 16th annual Run for the Schools race, a fundraiser event to benefit the 29 Iowa City schools and Regina.

“I like long distance (running), and the school district really needs money, so I thought I’d help out.” Izzy Shutt ‘16 said of why she decided to run in the 10k.

Money raised for each school is determined by how many people from each school participate by running, walking, or volunteering. Money raised goes directly to the schools’ physical education classes and libraries, and remaining money goes towards extra programs such as the Visiting Author and School of the Wild.

“I do attend City High, so it’s a direct correlation,” Shutt said of raising money though the event.

Raising money is helped made possible by the sponsors of Run for the Schools.

“They do a lot for us. MidWest One is our title sponsor. They donate a lot of money to help run a safe race. Police protection is our highest expenditure, but necessary,” Joan DePrenger, a member of the  Iowa City Road Race board member and a course volunteer at the event said. “The other sponsors donate equipment, vans for race day, food, gift cards, and money to help defer costs.  Because of this, we are able to give back a lot of money to the schools.”

This year, if the expected amount of money is raised, Run for the Schools will have donated over $500,000 total to the Iowa City Community School District and Regina.

“Everyone involved in this organization is very dedicated and willing to work hard for this event to be so successful.” DePrenger said

According to DePrenger, planning for the event begins months in advance.

“There’s a team of us that work together, starting soon after the run and meeting, to evaluate what worked and what could be improved for the next year,” DePrenger said.  “Then we meet weekly from the first of August, focusing on the many aspects of organizing a run like this, from course planning, volunteers, police protection, finish line details, medical, equipment, aid stations, food, and registration.”

On the day of the race, Deprenger and the other volunteers have a lot to do to prepare.

“Starting at 6:00 am on Sunday, I am out on the course setting up mile markers, arrows and ‘Caution: runners on road’ signs,” DePrenger said. “I also make sure the course has been set up with road cones and the cars have been removed.”