Participants raced in Chi Omega's Miles For Make-A-Wish Color Run 5k on Saturday, March 1st, 2025.
Around 300 people showed up for Chi Omega at Georgia Southern's color run, including the Chi Omega members. About 150 participants were from the community.
There was a table set up with containers of color powder that participants could grab. Pre-registered runners were given white t-shirts to highlight the colors that would be thrown throughout the race.
"Y'all are making a difference by being here today," Chi O Philanthropy Chair Sarah Scalisi said. "My sisters and I were blessed with the opportunity to deliver a local wish right here in Statesboro. We got to meet sweet Matthew here and deliver his wish to him at school."
Make-A-Wish kid and second grader at Langston Chapel Elementary School, Matthew Tate, counted the runners down at the start line. When Matthew said go, participants threw the color powder into the air.
This is the first 5k that Chi Omega has hosted at Georgia Southern, and Sarah Scalisi organized the race.
"I just wanted to see people really get together," Scalisi said. "We want to do big things, we want to do things that are loud, we want to do things together, and I think color was the best way to make people have fun, let loose, and get a white shirt all dirty."
As participants crossed the finish line, Chi Os threw the remaining color powder over the runners.
The first place winner was Wyatt Ellerbee, with a time just over 17 minutes.
In total, the event raised over $5,000 for Make-A-Wish. Over the 2024-2025 school year, Chi Omega has raised over $25,000.
"It's been really motivating and inspiring," Scalisi said. "I just can't thank everybody enough."
More results are listed below.
Men's:
1st place: Wyatt Ellerbee and John Wood, Kappa Sigma Fraternity duo
2nd place: Alex Schmacht
3rd: Brayan Escudero
Women's:
1st place: Ginny Merritt
2nd place: Courtney Beard and Lola Wilson, Chi Omega Sorority duo