Fueling the Fight: THON Hospitality’s Role at the 5K 

By Nicolette Satterfield, Lillian Reilly and Sarah Weins 

It was a crisp fall Sunday morning when thousands of people lined up outside the Bryce Jordan Center to participate in the annual THON™ 5K. Runners and walkers gathered for one mission: to enhance the lives of children and families impacted by childhood cancer. The race officially started at 11:30 AM, but THON’s Hospitality team was up and working long before then to make the day possible. 

Before the sun came up, Hospitality was unloading food trucks, unboxing thousands of snacks and setting up distribution tents for a wonderful day of running in support of THON’s mission.  

Despite the early start, Hospitality Captain Erin Maguire was still full of energy. 

“It is cool to see just how early people come together to make this happen for our families and these kids,” said Erin. 

The 5K is the first major operational test for the Hospitality Committee, and keeping the entire event fueled, hydrated and running smoothly is not an easy task. Hospitality’s support for runners and event attendees is the backbone of the 5K. 

“I’m excited to serve some meals, have a water social and make sure everyone is hydrated while practicing sustainable initiatives,” said Colin Spear, the THON 2027 Hospitality Director.  

The Hospitality Committee supports not only the runners, but also the families attending the event. Members create dedicated spaces with specialized catering, snacks and comfort amenities so families can enjoy the Kids’ Race, a consistent fan favorite event from the 5K. 

“I’m most excited for the Kids’ Race today and seeing the smiles on their faces,” said Erin. 

Throughout the year, Hospitality is constantly fulfilling its mission to “fuel the fight.” For the 5K, the “fuel” was provided by local restaurants and vendors, including Idou Coffee and Kona Ice. These vendors gave participants, volunteers, and families the opportunity to grab something to eat while supporting THON and its mission For The Kids®.  

Keeping things running smoothly is clearly a huge impact that Hospitality has on THON, but THON’s impact on the Hospitality Committee Members themselves is just as big.  

“There are so many people from different backgrounds and different areas, but everyone is here for the same reason. It’s so easy to get along with people that are so passionate about a cause that is much bigger than ourselves,” said Colin. 

His statement serves as not only a reminder to their specific committee, but to anyone participating in THON. No matter what areas of involvement someone is in, Colin’s emphasis on “the cause that’s bigger than ourselves” reflects the enthusiasm of the THON community, and a passion that we all have in common amongst our differences.