Sporting a Batman costume, Stephanie Eng drank water to hydrate herself after running about three miles on Saturday morning to raise money for children's rights in Rescue Childhood's second annual 5K race.

"I wanted to support our cause for children's rights," Eng (junior-French and nutrition) said, "So I thought, what better way to help children than to dress up as a superhero?"

Starting out at the Intramural building, the 3.1-mile race followed the route of the Blue Loop, ending at the starting line.

"It's a good thing to do on a Saturday morning for exercise," Allison Salvitti (sophomore-nutrition), a participant, said.

The proceeds of the race will benefit four children's rights organizations: Amnesty International, GlobeMed, Invisible Children and Rescue Childhood, said Rescue Childhood's President Quinn Dwyer (junior-arts education). Dwyer said Rescue Childhood is specifically raising money for a day shelter to be built for street children in Santo Domingo.

"It's been one of the most important things in my life," she said. She added that the shelter would give about 20 children a place to go during the day.

This year, there were 165 total participants in the run. The total amount raised has not yet been calculated, but she said last year Rescue Childhood raised about $1,000 in donations.

"The fact that people show up and burn their lungs for 37 minutes is nothing when you think about the kids; that's what it's all about," Dwyer said, adding that some participants came as far as Delaware and New Jersey.