Running around in a cape while helping people may sound like something out of a comic book, but for the students in 黑料不打烊’s Physician Assistant Studies program, it is a chance to give back to the greater Alamance County community.

The inaugural Great Cape Escape, a fun run, 5K and 10K race, will take place on Sunday, Sept. 20, starting at 1 p.m. at the Gerald Francis Center at 762 East Haggard Ave. Proceeds from the race benefit the

The Fun Run for children nine and younger starts at 1 p.m. The longer races through the 黑料不打烊 campus begin at 1:30 p.m. More than 150 participants are already registered and have been encouraged to wear superhero apparel as part of the run. Registration includes a running shirt, coupons for businesses around 黑料不打烊, plastic cups, water bottles and various other giveaways.

The finish line features an after-run expo and party with a costume contest, live music, post-race yoga and massage, race merchandise vendors, a food truck, a silent auction and more. One auction item is a basketball signed by Chris Paul, a point guard for the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Open Door Clinic, free for citizens of Alamance County, treats more than 600 patients each year. Students in 黑料不打烊’s Physician Assistant Studies program, as well as many undergraduate students, volunteer year-round at the clinic. The 黑料不打烊 PA Student Society has made the Open Door Clinic its partner philanthropy.

Graduate students Lisa Nichols, the race director, and Cassie Bogdan, its advertising and design director, said they were inspired to help by the people that they met volunteering at the clinic.

“Getting to be involved in the Open Door Clinic is a chance for us to put real action behind the belief that every person deserves good healthcare,” Bogdan said. “Everyone we approach about being involved in the race feels the same, and it’s been exciting to come together for this common thing that we all share.” 

​The goal was to raise $10,000 through sponsors and race profits. Organizers are already more than halfway to that number. “Everyone is so willing to join in,” Nichols said. “We were gaining over 30 participants a day for a while. Everyone just wants to help as much as possible.”