Students and community members participated in a five-kilometer race around the Sacramento State campus Sunday to benefit the UC Davis Children?s Hospital.

The “Run for Kids” race, sponsored by the Sac State Air Force ROTC Arnold Air Society, a community service-based honors program, had a turnout of about 25 participants. Despite stormy weather the day before, organizers said the race went as planned and was a success.

The race had been planned since the beginning of the semester and was part of the Air Society Candidate Class? national project for cancer awareness. The group decided to give the funds to the UC Davis Children?s Hospital after touring the hospital to see where the money would be spent.

Pledge Class Commander Matt Johnson said organizers hope to hold the event every year. He said that they had the capacity to handle about 100-150 people in the race, but due to the bad weather, not as many people showed up as expected. The group advertised the run on campus, in The Sacramento Bee and in area businesses.

“This is a good event, and hopefully we can get more people to participate next year so that we can raise more money for the cause,” Johnson said. “We wanted to give something back to the kids, so this was very special to us.”

Brian Torum, an ROTC student at UC Davis, came in first place with a time of 13.5 minutes. Shortly behind him, in at second place was area resident Jose Martinez with his dog, Pinto. Martinez said he heard about the race through The Bee and decided to participate in the event to help the children?s hospital.

“Besides enjoying running, one of the main reasons I participated in the event was to help out a good cause,” Martinez said.

The women?s first place winner was Maggie Coppini, a freshman in the UC Davis chapter of the Arnold Air Society.

“It was a perfect day for running. I especially liked the part where I was able to run through the sprinklers,” Coppini said.

Tom Mischley, who was visiting from San Francisco, decided to participate in the event as a way to train for Sacramento?s “Run to Feed the Hungry,” which will be held on Thanksgiving and will benefit Sacramento Food Bank Services.

“This was a good opportunity to participate in a charitable event and have fun at the same time,” Mischley said.

Winners were given medals for their efforts. All proceeds went to the UC Davis Children?s Hospital.