Members of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority took a jog around the lagoon for a good cause on Saturday.

The 3rd annual Kappa Dash began at 11 a.m. in front of the Kappa house at 6525 Picasso Road, circled around the lagoon, and finished back at the Kappa house. The event raised $6,000 to fight breast and cervical cancer. A total of 254 people attended, of which about 50 percent were greeks, 25 percent were students, and 25 percent were community members.

Each participant paid a $12 entry fee, which raised $2,000 in donations. Various businesses, including Santa Barbara Volkswagen, Santa Barbara Bank & Trust, Eladio’s Restaurant and Zodo’s Bowling and Beyond, contributed a total of $4,000 to the event. Proceeds will go to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Race for the Cure, a national charity for breast cancer research, and the Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, a local organization that provides breast exams, mammograms, pap smears and other services to underprivileged women.

Alison Mobley, Kappa member and sophomore business economics major, said she was excited about the number of participants.

“It was fun for us who put on the Dash to see so many people enthusiastic about the race and the cause in general,” Mobley said. “The great turnout makes us want the next Kappa Dash to be even better.”

“All the adults in the community got an opportunity to see a positive image of not only the greek system, but of UCSB students in general,” Lefevre said.

The sorority also hosted a party in Greek Park after the race with a raffle, an awards ceremony, a D.J. and a local punk band, The Awakend. Candace Lefevre, Kappa philanthropy chair and sophomore sociology major, said the event promotes a positive impression of the sorority and the community.

“The event was a lot of fun. Everyone was screaming and cheering; cars were honking,” Lefevre said. “We probably woke up all of I.V.”

San Dimas High School student Kristina Wilson finished first in the female individual category and fifth place overall. Dane Austin, a ROTC member, finished first in the male individual category. ROTC took first place in the team category.

Jordan Esraelian, a sophomore business economics major, finished fourth in the male individual category.

“The race was actually a little competitive,” Esraelian said. “The competition made it more fun though. Girls were spaced out every quarter mile, cheering people on. I’d say they were pretty motivational.”

The Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program passed out informational flyers about breast cancer and breast cancer prevention.

“I’m glad that there was someone there to pass out information about breast cancer and answer questions about the disease,” Mobley said. “It reminded everyone why they were there.”

Lefevre said Kappa Kappa Gamma decided to host the dash because the members thought it was important for the sorority to hold an annual philanthropy event.

“This year’s dash was more successful than others because we had a greater turnout from outside the greek community. The foundations were more actively involved in the event this year as well,” Lefevre said. “We are women, and breast cancer is something that affects us specifically and in general affects everyone. Everyone, after all, has a mom, an aunt or a sister.”