Racers gasped for air as they crossed the finish line Sunday at the 11th Annual Melissa Heydenreich 5k/10k Moxie-thon.
Two-year-old twins Peyton and Parker, however, were barely awake as their dad, Todd Loose, completed the race while pushing their stroller.
"We've been training with our four kids for years now," said Crystal Loose, Peyton and Parker's mother. "It's just something we do."
The Moxie-thon raised $4,722.50, which was donated to the Leukemia-Lymphoma Society of America. The Lion Ambassadors-sponsored event included about 200 registered runners.
Racers began at the Intramural Building on Curtin Road and circled campus on Porter, Pollock, and Fraser roads, finishing back at the IM Building.
The race is named for former Lion Ambassador Melissa Heydenreich, Class of 1987, who died on New Years Day 1997 after battling leukemia for less than a year, said Lion Ambassador Emily Hebner, chairwoman of the race.
"Melissa Heydenreich was a huge Penn State fan and an avid runner," Hebner (junior-English) said.
Less than 15 minutes behind the first 5k finisher, the Loose family, of Lancaster County, completed the course.
In addition to running, both parents pushed baby carriages for the duration of the race.
Todd Loose received his undergraduate degree from Penn State and Crystal Loose received her principal's certification from the university. They are friends of the Heydenreich family.
Aaron Rape, 24, won the 5k race with a time of 17 minutes, 45 seconds. Having trained for the past three months, Rape said he was happy with his finish.
"It's not about the legs, it's about your heart, especially at the finish line," he said.
Robert Radzwich, 38, won the 10k race with a time of 37 minutes, 4 seconds.
Team in Training, a division of the Leukemia-Lymphoma Society of America, was present to offer mentoring, coaching and transportation for runners interested in future fundraising events such as triathlons, half marathons and cycling trips, said Brandon Meyer , a cancer survivor who assisted Team in Training.
"Events make a huge difference," Meyer (junior-hotel, restaurant and institutional management) said. "If it wasn't for this, I probably wouldn't be here today."
