By Lou Dennig
Staff Writer


This Saturday, March 6, marks the second annual Morgan McDuffee 5 kilometer (3.1 mile) run/walk. It will begin at Bates and will take place throughout the Lewiston/Auburn area. This annual event is put on to raise money for Morgan’s Fund for Violence Prevention, and to honor the memory of, as many called him, an exceptional Bates student.

McDuffee was a Bates economics student and captain of the lacrosse team who was killed two years ago while trying to break up an off-campus fight. “It’s important to have such a positive event on the anniversary of such a tragedy to bring people together,” said Veysey.

The race, which will be overseen by a professional timing company, promises to attract more serious runners from both Bates and the Maine area than last year. “A strong turnout in walkers, volunteers and runners would be around 500 people,” said Graham Veysey, who alongside Elizabeth Jackson, organized the event.

Red Bull will sponsor the event by giving out free beverages and food before the race to all participants.

Another change that will make this year’s memorial event run smoothly is the addition of police cars escorting the walkers on the 5k course. It will eliminate the traffic issues, which ensued last year.

There will also be an on-campus, one-mile walk in order to get as many people as possible involved in the day’s event. “Whatever you choose to do just remember Morgan, keep talking about him and don’t forget him, that’s the really important thing about the race,” said Veysey.

Registration for the race will be $15 until Wednesday and $18 from then on. Registration for the 1-mile walk is $10; all participants will receive a free t-shirt. There will be a table set up outside of Commons everyday until Friday to allow people to register for the event.

All of the proceeds will go to Morgan’s Fund for Violence Prevention, which is directed by Susanna Andrew, Morgan McDuffee’s fiancée at the time of his death. “Everyone should try to come out, [and] give whatever money you can give because the cause is so amazing. This will lead to the prevention of future tragedies,” said Veysey. “If you can’t afford it, just come out and volunteer, and if you really want to run just show up and we’ll see what we can do.”

Registration will begin at 11:30 A.M. inside the Clifton Daggett Gray Athletic building on the day of the race. Both the 5k-run/walk and the one-mile on-campus walk will begin at 1:00 P.M.





Respond to this article.