The members of Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity ran for 26 hours Friday and Saturday through the rain, cold and wind to raise more than $3,000 for the Children’s Miracle Network.

The first fall philanthropy for the fraternity, 2132 Sunset Drive, came after several events in the past that didn’t generate the donations the fraternity members said they felt they could raise.

They started earlier and worked harder to produce an event that would benefit the Children’s Miracle Network and build brotherhood.

“Since we had the most involved house in Dance Marathon, we wanted something to go with [Dance Marathon],” said Isaac Knoot, Alpha Sigma Phi president.

The resulting event was Marathonathon. One hour was run for every mile of a normal marathon.

Marathonathon coordinator Tom Bander, senior in industrial engineering, said the run was around sorority circle, because it provided a course right through the greek community and Alpha Sigma Phi is the only fraternity on sorority circle.

The members used several different methods to raise money for the event.

They asked for sponsorship per mile, flat donations and dug into their own pockets to ensure the fund-raising event was a success.

Throughout the Marathonathon, there was always a member of Alpha Sigma Phi running.

“Thinking about the kids from Dance Marathon last year kept me going during the rain,” said Jeff Oleson, junior in computer engineering. “It is great that we can impact a person at such a young age.”

The proceeds will go to the Children’s Miracle Network, which supports hospitals that treat children with diseases, injuries and birth defects at the Iowa Children’s Hospital.

The barbecue was held during the 26 hours of running on Friday evening and before Saturday’s Cyclone football game. The fraternity members added to the $2,600 raised by the running portion of the event. Thanks to sponsors of the event, the barbecue was mostly profit for the children, said Knoot, junior in management information systems.

“It has been such a success that we will do it again next year,” he said.