Poor weather conditions and a non-alcoholic format contributed to this weekend's low attendance and a $2,500 drop in fund-raising efforts at the 22nd annual Phi Psi 500, organizers said.

But the Phi Psi 500 still succeeded because it raised money for a worthwhile cause, said Matt Swartley, chairman of the event.

The event, part of Spring Week, started at Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, 403 Locust Lane, and ended at the Brewery's parking lot, 233 E. Beaver Ave. This marks the first year the Phi Psi 500 was not a race from bar to bar. Four years ago the State College Borough Council and phi Kappa Psi fraternity created a plan to phase alcohol out of the event due to incidents of public drunkenness.

About 80 people participated in the 22nd annual Phi Psi 500 on Saturday, raising about $5,000 for the local chapter of the Association for Retarded Citizens. Event organizers had hoped to raise $10,000. Last year, 470 people participated in the event raising $7,500.

Money was raised by T-shirt sales, registration fees, food sales, raffle tickets and "canning."

Many people were not willing to take a chance on the new nonalcoholic format, said Peter Lang, a State College borough councilman who attended this year's event. Rain and lack of alcohol also may have contributed to the event's poor turnout, he said afterward.

While participation was low, many area residents were pleased the event no longer involves alcohol, he said.

"I guess it's more glamorous for people to run and throw up, than for people to just run," Lang said. "They need to find a more effective format if the event is going to be a success."

Unlike Phi Psi 500s held before, the number of liquor law, disorderly conduct and other violations dropped considerably due to the alcohol phase out, police said.

This year no alcohol violations were reported by State College police in connection with the event.

"The open container ordinance the borough passed a couple years ago was the beginning of the end," said Rick L. Garis, a State College Bureau of Police Services officer.

But some students dislike the new rules and alcohol regulations of the event:

"I liked it better the old way. It used to be a good time, now there's no urge to participate," said Alex Makitka (senior-ceramic science).

However, many of the contestants said they had an enjoyable time participating in the event.

"I've had a lot of fun. It's too bad more people aren't around," said Charlotte Walls, a member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority, 108 S. Hibbs Hall.

Calling this year a transitional one for the event, Phi Kappa Psi member Dave Gehris said the event will, in the future, be built up to what it once was.

Phi Psi 500 will be promoted more thoroughly to increase participation, Swartley said.

Only 150 people attended the skits --a part of the event -- during which participants competed for prize money. The winners of this competition were:

-- First prize of $500 went to the "Rappin Dukes," members of Alpha Chi Omega sorority, 101 S. Hibbs Hall. The group dressed as cowboys and lip-synched the song "Rappin with the Duke."

-- Second prize of $250 was awarded to the "Gut Bucket Five," an independent group, performing as a Dixieland band.

-- Third prize of $100 was won by Delta Sigma Theta Inc., for performing a step show as circus hobos.

Other participants included the synchronized swimming team performing a routine on land, and members of the Delta Upsilon fraternity, 229 Locust Lane, dressed as members of the rock group Kiss.

George Decker, a resident of State College who attended Saturday's event, said he was upset when the council made the event non-alcoholic. This year's race was one of the smallest he had ever seen, he added.

Decker, who said he has attended nearly all Phi Psi 500s, said the format change reflected poor relations between students and the community.