Out-of-Door Academy's first 5K raises funds for its athletics program

Susan Meyers, The Out-of-Door Academy Athletic Club president, and Brooke Allen-Burnstein, ODA's associate director of development, say the school prides itself on serving the community and giving its students the best experience possible.

That led them to create the first-ever Taste of ODA 5K.

The goal was for ODA to dip its toes into the water with a new fundraiser — targeting 100 runners — to add to its annual fundraising golf tournament.

“Our emphasis when we do events is on the community aspect and the fundraising is secondary,” Allen-Burnstein said.

Despite limited marketing efforts, 143 runners showed up to participate in the 5K event for $30 per runner on Saturday at ODA’s Upper Campus.

The event had something for everyone of all ages, from a competitive 5K race, to a kids’ fun run, a bounce house, food trucks, and a DJ. 

Money raised from the event will benefit Thunder athletic teams in a variety of ways, from new jerseys for some teams to the ability to take a charter bus on a long road trip for others.

The biggest motivating factor for Meyers, who has had two of her own children —Jack and Brooke — participate in athletics at the school, was to encourage others to be excited about playing for the Thunder one day.

“We want to retain our kids,” Meyers said. “We want our little kids to be excited about coming up to ODA and being an athlete at ODA. We don’t want them to go away. We want them here, so we try to bring them here as much as we can for athletic events.”

One of those students who has stayed with ODA is 11th grader Emerson Miller. 

Miller, a cross country runner and track athlete at ODA, led the fun run. She said events like the Taste of ODA 5K are an example of a way that teachers at ODA empower students to lead.

“It’s very easy to get involved at ODA,” Miller said. “Everyone is encouraging and open to new ideas. If you have something you want to get done, people will work with you to get it done. It’s a friendly relationship that’s more than just student-teacher.

“The coaches are very willing to work with you, and if you have an idea you want for your team, they’ll work with you to make it happen. They encourage student leadership and that’s made a big difference for me.”

Finn Randall placed first overall in the Taste of ODA 5K with an 18:36 while Vicky Romocki (sixth overall) led all female runners with a time of 22:11.

Meyers and Allen-Burnstein said the popularity of the Tase of ODA 5K means it could likely become an annual event.