Going the distance
There was a little something for everyone at the 2016 Miles for Smiles Runathon held June 11 at Exall Park in Dallas. In its eighth year, the partnership among Texas A&M University College of Dentistry students, predental students from several Dallas-Fort Worth universities, and numerous community and corporate sponsors continues to grow with each passing event.
This year, those wishing to help raise money for the college’s Social Services Dental Care Fund, which helps patients in the Dallas area who are unable to afford their dental care, could opt for multiple ways to get moving. A Zumbathon, coordinated by the North Texas Hispanic Dental Association, gave participants the option to challenge themselves with the Latin and international rhythms of this upbeat fitness class. Others opted to run for as long as they could, with each mile clocked earning that much more for the fund.
A total of 205 runners clocked 665 miles during the 2016 Miles for Smiles. Since many contributors pledged per-mile monetary donations, the total funds raised will be announced soon.
This year’s event included a Zumbathon as a result of a partnership with the North Texas Hispanic Dental Association. In its history, the NTHDA has raised more than $75,000 for patients in need through its Zumbathon initiative.
Approximately 80 volunteers, primarily dental and predental students, coordinated the 2016 Miles for Smiles effort.
