Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette MTU Dean of Students Wallace Southerland celebrates after finishing ahead of Assistant Director of Student Leadership and Involvement Rochelle Spencer during Sunday’s Tau Trot.

HANCOCK — Two Michigan Technological University Greek organizations ushered in spring with a run for two good causes Sunday.

Phi Kappa Tau and Alpha Sigma Tau co-organize the Tau Trot 5K, now in its fourth year.

“It’s a really cool event, it gets people active, gets people moving,” said Phi Kappa Tau philanthropy co-chair Lucas Pobanz. “And it’s a good way to raise money.”

Between registrations, donations and T-shirt sales, the event raised more than $2,500 this year, Pobanz said.

The money goes to charities. For Phi Kappa Tau, it’s SeriousFun Children’s Network, which provides camp experiences around the globe for seriously ill children. In keeping with the running theme, Alpha Sigma Tau picked Girls On the Run, a program for third- to eighth-grade girls aimed at building their emotional and physical health through running and programs in various life skills.

“One of their missions is at the end of their programming to have girls run a 5K to show a physical accomplishment,” said Alpha Sigma Tau philanthropy co-chair Tessa Mlinar.

This year had 23 participants — about twice as many as last year, Mlinar said.

Planning for the race begins in February, when philanthropy chairs from both organizations meet to set up things such as posters and obtaining city approval for the route.

“There’s the stress of hoping it all goes well, but I think it went really smoothly,” said Alpha Sigma Tau philanthropy co-chair Madelyn Carey.

A stand of water and bananas awaited the runners and walkers at the Alpha Sigma Tau house. The first to cross was Willy Houser, second-year chemical engineering student, who finished in 20 minutes, 27 seconds.

“I like to run, and my fraternity was putting it on, so I figured I may as well participate, and it’s for a good cause,” he said.

“I wanted to beat him,” chipped in first-year computer science major Noah Spence, who finished second with 21 minutes, 18 seconds.

In the womens’ division, the first was Megan Clayton with 36 minutes 18 seconds, narrowly edging out Emily Calhoun with 36 minutes, 20 seconds.

Even after the winners reached the finish line, some runners behind them kept it interesting with photo-finishes. Phi Kappa Tau member Matt Sheeran, a fourth-year mechanical engineering major, placed just ahead of his friend Jon Sturm, a fourth-year chemical engineering major. It was Sheeran’s first race since blowing out his knee a year ago.

“It was longer, and a little cold, but other than that it was pretty nice,” he said.

When Sturn heard about the race from Sheeran, he liked the idea of exercising and giving to charity.

“The hills killed me,” he said. “I’m very out of practice, but it was fun.”

MTU Dean of Students Wallace Southerland won his own mini-victory after beating out Assistant Director of Student Leadership and Involvement Rochelle Spencer down the final stretch.

“It’s a great way to support students and be healthy,” he said. “And it’s for charity. So there’s three important goals that are accomplished.”