HAVERFORD, Pa. - The Fourth Annual Joe Schwartz '83 Memorial 3K Run/Walk went off without a hitch Sunday afternoon on the campus of Haverford College, and the 2011 event saw increases in both participation and donations.

Spearheaded by GIAC Fitness Center Director Cory Walts, the 2011 event brought in nearly 200 participants who raised $3,075 that will be donated to the ALS Foundation to benefit ALS research.

The 3-kilometer run's women's division title was captured by Aileen Keogh '10. Joe Pawlish, racing in the 30-39 age group, won the overall men's crown.

Walts instituted a Fitness Challenge for faculty and staff during the eight weeks leading up to the race/walk. Challenge participants received points for their exercise sessions, fitness class attendance and 3K participation. Jill Miller, from the College's Institutional Advancement office, accumulated the most points to win the individual challenge and nine of her office mates teamed with her to win the group title.

With this year's totals, the Schwartz memorial event has attracted nearly 600 participants and raised roughly $14,500 in proceeds over its four year existence.

Joe Schwartz graduated from Haverford College in 1983. He was a committed member of Haverford?s cross country and track teams for the four years he attended Haverford, and he excelled in both sports. He encouraged those who won Middle Atlantic Conference championships, as well as students who were casual participants, to be part of something bigger than themselves. From the moment he stepped on the Haverford campus, Joe was integral in building a proud tradition of athletic excellence at this school.

In 1995, Joe contracted Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) at the age of 34. He first noticed the symptoms when he was out training for road races. He courageously endured the hardships imposed by this cruel disease for thirteen years until his unfortunate death on Mar. 2, 2008. Joe left behind two young sons, both of whom are avid runners themselves, one even a member of Haverford?s team.

Joe was the epitome of what a coach wishes for in a student-athlete, said head cross country and track & field head coach Tom Donnelly. He was enthusiastic, supported his teammates and loved his sport and school. Someone like Joe comes along once in a lifetime.

The Joe Schwartz '83 Memorial 3K Run/Walk is designed to attract the running superstar and the walking novice because that is exactly how Joe would want it. He simply loved people lacing up their shoes and enjoying the freedom to run and walk, a freedom that was deprived from Joe by ALS. Proceeds from the event will be donated to the ALS Association and directed towards ALS research. The ALS Association is the only national non-profit organization dedicated solely to the fight against ALS. The cause, cure and means of control of ALS are unknown. Symptoms of ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, include the wasting and paralysis of the muscles of the limbs and trunk as well as those that control vital functions such as speech, swallowing and respiration.