Around 12:20 Saturday afternoon, Boston Marathon runner Jack Braconnier crossed the finish line at the third annual "We are ... Curing Autism Now 5K Race/3K Walk."
About an hour later, two younger participants, Parker, 5, and Ava Bierly, 3, both of Centre Hall, rode their tricycles across the same finish line in front of the State College Municipal Building, 243 S. Allen St.
While Braconnier said he hoped the event would help him "tune up," the Bierly family hopes it will help find a cure for autism.
Scott Horowitz, philanthropy chairman for Beta Sigma Beta fraternity, said more than 1,600 people participated in Saturday's event, which was hosted by Beta Sigma Beta fraternity, Pi Beta Phi sorority and Sigma Delta Tau sorority. Horowitz added that the event raised about $120,000 for the Autism Speaks Foundation, and their goal is to reach $200,000.
"That number is still growing," Horowitz (junior-finance) said, adding that people can donate money to the cause for three more months. Proceeds from a live online eBay auction, which can be accessed through the event's Web site, psuautismspeaks.org, and will remain open until 10 a.m. April 18, will also go to Autism Speaks.
The top male and female runner each received a trophy at the event.
Braconnier (senior-kinesiology) was the first man to finish the race, with an official time of 17:01. Braconnier said he will run the Boston Marathon on April 21. He said it was his first time participating in the race, which he found out about from a friend who is a supporter of the autism community.
"This is kind of a tune up," Braconnier said. "I want to make sure my legs are fresh for the Boston Marathon."
Kelsey Markham (freshman-health and human development) was the women's winner, with a time of 20:51.
Robin Bierly, of Centre Hall, participated in the event for the third year with her team, the Penns Valley All-Stars. Bierly walked the course with her husband, Stan, and her two children, Parker and Ava rode tricycles.
Bierly said her family is personally affected by the event because her son, Parker, is autistic.
"The research has already started to help our kids. We're already seeing results," Bierly said, adding that more specifically, Namenda, a drug that has recently been researched, helped improve her son's language.
Bierly said she is excited to see the event growing.
"It's been very inspirational," Bierly said. "A lot of people don't know what to say when you have a child with autism, but they want to do something. It's amazing to see how many people want to help out someone like our son."
Horowitz said he hopes to see the event grow in the future.
"Usually Penn State is about Thon, but this is another big event that people are starting to learn and care about," Horowitz said. "It grew by 500 people this year, and I think there will be a few hundred more participants each year."
