Students Raise $4,333 for Hurricane Disaster Relief

If you're like the typical college student, you probably spent your Sunday watching "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" re-runs and procrastinating on homework. But several Harvard students spent their last day of the weekend running a marathon and raised $4,333 for Hurricane Sandy disaster relief in the process.

Meredith C. Baker '13 and Samantha J. Whitmore '13 began planning the event only last Wednesday. By the time the marathon ended Sunday afternoon, 180 students had RSVP’d for the event on Facebook. A group of 25 people started the race and six finished.

"Their mental support during the final stages of the race was invaluable," said Whitmore of the the other people who finished the marathon. "Three of them were experienced marathoners, so they gave wonderful advice."

Baker said she also appreciated the support of the other runners.

"It was really special to cross the finish line hand in hand with Sam, as we had been training for the NYC marathon for so long together," said Baker, who is also a Crimson editorial writer.

The pair had initially hoped to raise $2,620 for hurricane relief, but ended up bringing in close to $2,000 more than their original goal.

But running a 26.2 mile marathon and raising $4,333 for Hurricane Sandy disaster relief is just the beginning for Whitmore and Baker.

Along with Tyler Cusick '14, Whitmore and Baker have already started tentatively organizing an on campus benefit concert planned for later this week.

Whitmore said that she hopes the run, along with the other events that she and Baker are planning, will motivate other people to contribute to disaster relief for Hurricane Sandy.

"I hope it inspires others to try and make a difference in any way they can as well, because all the little things really do add up," Whitmore said.