Updated: Run / Walk April 16 to benefit Japan disaster victims

During the April 1 Khana Khazana Japanese lunch held in the Michigan Tech Memorial Union Food Court, Michigan Tech students Motoyuki Kidokoro, left, of Japan, one of the event organizers, and Inkyong Kim from South Korea provide information on the April 16 Walk / Run fundraiser for victims of Japan's earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear reactor incidents. The students also sold colorful t-shirts to promote the fundraiser. Click on photos for larger versions. (Photos by Keweenaw Now)

HOUGHTON -- The public is encouraged to participate in a fundraising Walk/Run for Japan at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 16. Registration for the event will be from noon to 5 p.m. on Friday, Apr. 15, at the Spring Fling and from 8:30 a.m. - 9:45 am. Saturday at the Rozsa Parking lot in Houghton.

The 5K run and 3K walk will begin and end at Michigan Tech’s campus, looping through downtown Houghton.

Half the proceeds of the April 1 Khana Khazana Japanese lunch at Michigan Tech are being donated to aid Japan disaster victims. Pictured here is photographer Brian Parmeter, ordering a variety of Japanese dishes from the cooks -- Finlandia students Chisato Ota, Rei Hirakawa and Airi Natsumushi -- all from Japan -- and Michigan Tech student Divia Dhalluri from India.

There is no registration fee, but the suggested donation is $10. Proceeds will go via the American Red Cross to those who have suffered from the multiple disasters in Japan -- including the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear reactor incidents. Registration forms are also available at: http://tinyurl.com/runforjapan.

Helping organize the benefit activities were Kazuya Tajiri, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering-engineering mechanics from Kumamoto in southern Japan, and Motoyuki Kidokoro, an accounting major from Kawasaki, west of Tokyo.

The Houghton High School Key Club will also be selling Japan tee shirts at the event.

To obtain more information or to volunteer, contact: Kazuya Tajiri at ktajiri@mtu.edu.

Click here for a map of the route.

Editor's Update: See the article, "Michigan Tech responds to the Japanese disaster," by Jillian Schwab, on Tech Today.