Running for a good cause is a popular trend spreading around the nation. This year the idea is traveling from Ames to Iowa City.

Cadets from the Army ROTC programs at Iowa State and the University of Iowa will be running the game ball to the Hawkeye/Cyclone football game this weekend and raising money for Iowa’s Multiple Sclerosis Society in the process.

April Verlo, assistant training officer and coordinator of the event, said eight ISU cadets and 20 from the U of I will be participating in the 12th Annual Game Ball Run.

Verlo said the cadets will depart Friday and will bike 65 miles to Tama, where there will be a barbecue at noon for the Multiple Sclerosis Society. From there, they will take turns running the ball the remaining 65 miles from Tama to Iowa City.

“People think we’re crazy for running this far,” Verlo said. “But it’s part of our training; you have to run.”

ROTC Capt. Mike Davy also was confident that the cadets were up to the challenge.

“I don’t think [the distance] will be a problem at all,” he said.

At the start of Saturday’s game, Clint Taylor, the ISU cadet battalion commander, and the cadet battalion commander from the U of I will run the ball into the stadium.

Lt. Col. Tom Johnson said there is a big ceremony involved in the running in of the game ball.

“It’s a big hoopla,” he said.

Verlo said ISU has not participated in the run for the last four years.

“[Our previous colonel] thought there were too many safety concerns,” she said. “Then when [Johnson] came he said it sounded like fun.”

Verlo said more cadets wanted to participate, but since it was ISU’s first year returning to the run, spots were limited.

“It’s unfortunate that more of us couldn’t participate,” she said.

Verlo added that all eight participating cadets are seniors.

“All of us seniors are close,” she said. “We’re looking forward to it. It should be a lot of fun.”

She said the ISU cadets would be staying with the cadets from U of I while in Iowa City.

“They’re getting us places to stay and showing us the sights,” she said.

Davy also stressed the joint effort between the battalions.

“It’s going to be a great run between Iowa and Iowa State through teamwork,” he said. “We’re doing it for a worthy cause.

“The cadets felt they should be doing something to support the community,” Davy said.

All the cadets are looking forward to the event, Davy said.

“The cadets are really excited and should do very well in the run,” he said.

Anyone wishing to make a donation to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Iowa can call (800) 798-6677.