Good cause, good people and good fun.

This is what to be expected Saturday when BYU students gather to participate in a marathon, said Esther Blackham, a senior majoring in exercise science.

"Smile for every mile" is a 5K trail run Saturday, March 29 at Mt. Timpanogos Park. Nate Risley, a sophomore majoring in neuroscience, organized this event in an effort to raise money for Operation Smile - a non profit medical service organization.

Risley felt he was not doing enough for his community.

"I went from serving people 24-7 in Poland while on my mission, to getting back here and studying 24-7," Risley said.

He chose Operation Smile as the benefactor because he felt that they have a great organization and they work towards a great cause.

Operation Smile takes volunteer doctors, oral surgeons and nurses to developing countries where they perform operations on kids with cleft lips. The operations are done free of charge, hence a lot of fundraising is required throughout the year, Risley said.

Risley worked with Wade Hooten, the director of Operation Smile in Utah, and together they came up with an idea for an event that people in the community could get involved with.

Risley set up an executive committee to help him plan and execute the trail run.

The committee was presented with a myriad of challenges, which included finding a place to race, getting permission to use a particular trail, finding sponsors and donors and getting people interested.

Risley obtained a permit from the Orem city recreational director, giving him permission to use Mt. Timpanogos Park in Provo.

The run starts and ends at Mt. Timpanogos Park, just off US-189, up Provo Canyon.

Students who are interested in participating can register online at www.runnercard.com/e/runner.Main?meet=1335

Copyright Brigham Young University 27 Mar 2008