This Saturday Illini Dance Marathon prepares shifts its focus from dancing to running for a 5K marathon. The race, which loops around the main and south quads, will be the first fundraising event of the year for the RSO, aimed at raising proceeds for St. John’s Children’s Hospital in Springfield.

“Everyone in Illini Dance Marathon is required to raise $100 proir to the Dance Marathon,” taking place in February, said Beth Papanek, chair of the fundraising committee and junior in LAS.

Students can pre-register with the group for a fee of $13 or register the day of the 8 a.m. race for $17, which includes the price of a T-shirt. Members of Illini Dance Marathon will put their registration fee towards the $100 fundraising goal.

“This is the first in a series of events,” Papanek said. “On Oct. 26 we are hosting a ‘dine-and-share’ with Buffalo Wild Wings in Savoy.”

Coupons can be found on a Facebook group for the event. By printing the coupon and turning it in to their server, students donate 10 percent to Illini Dance Marathon.

“I have 30 pre-registered,” Papanek said. “By race day we hope that number will double.”