Racing to Remember the Ten

Eight years can seem like a long time. 
 
On Jan. 27, 2001, most of Oklahoma State's current undergraduates were in middle school or high school. 
 
That day, 10 members of the OSU family were killed in a plane crash in Colorado. 
 
To the current generation of Cowboys, that day might seem like a distant memory. 
 
That is part of the reason OSU alumnus Kerry Alexander founded the Remember the Ten Run three years ago. 
 
"We want to celebrate the lives of those who died in the crash," Alexander said. "We want to take this chance to bring together OSU's past, current and future together to do something special." 
 
The event will consist of three races: five- and 10-kilometer runs for the more advanced participants and a one-mile fun run for everyone else. 
 
Alexander said this year's race, which starts at 9 a.m. on Saturday, should be the most enjoyable yet for those who choose to participate. 
 
"In the last two years, there has been construction along the race route that kind of ruins the view along the way, but this year the course looks beautiful," he said. 
 
The race's registration is up by 40 percent from this point last year, and Alexander said he hopes to see 1,200 runners at this year's event. 
 
"Registration is absolutely through the roof right now," he said. "There is no way three years ago that I thought we'd be at this point right now." 
 
Registration for the race costs $25. The beneficiary of the race is OSU's counseling services, which Alexander said he chose because of its ability to help current and future OSU students. 
 
"OSU counseling is a service that everyone can benefit from," Alexander said. "When students are going through really tough times, they can count on them to be there to help them." 
 
Running isn't the only way that members of the OSU community can join in on the event, though. 
 
Volunteer coordinator Jennifer Mornhinweg said the higher registration numbers also are causing greater needs in volunteer support. 
 
Mornhinweg said she thinks serving the event as a volunteer could be a great opportunity to celebrate the OSU legacy. 
 
"A lot of people don't remember the crash, student-wise," she said. "This is a great way for them to help remember an important event in Oklahoma State's history." 
 
Mornhinweg said anyone who wants to volunteer should visit the race's Web site, http://remembertheten.com, to sign up until Friday. 
 
Volunteers have many different ways they can help out at the race, from directing runners as a course marshal to working at the registration booth. 
 
Those who wish to help out but cannot make it to the race on Saturday morning also can volunteer to publicize the event and put signs up around campus. 
 
Alexander said the amount of volunteer support the race receives is vital. 
 
"Volunteers are the lifeblood of this race," he said. "Without them, this whole event would be impossible." 
 
Alexander said he hopes to have a one-to-six ratio of volunteers to runners. 
 
Event Co-chair Becky Shipley has helped organize the race all three years and said she thinks that students coming out and supporting the event is a fitting way for them to remember the 10. 
 
"As an OSU student, this is part of your legacy," she said. "This is a great way for them to help not only current students, but to benefit the students who come after them."