Senior to run NYC Marathon Sunday for charity

Senior AlexAnne Pitts wanted to make the most of her final semester at Baylor, so the film and digital media/Asian studies double major from North Little Rock, Ark., headed to the Big Apple as a part of the Baylor Communications in New York program. And while the Baylor campus celebrates Homecoming this weekend, Pitts will be participating in an NYC tradition: the ING New York City Marathon.

But she’s not just doing it for the exercise; she’s running to raise funds for Madison Square Garden’s Garden of Dreams Foundation, a charity that uses MSG resources (such as New York Knicks players and other celebrities) to make dreams come true for children facing obstacles, from illness to homelessness to foster care issues and other tragedies.

She’s also dedicating her run to her mother, Kelley, who has fought cancer and other illnesses throughout AlexAnne’s time at Baylor, and to 11-year-old Molly Martinsen of Waco, Baylor volleyball’s “biggest little fan” who is battling a brain tumor. Pitts credits Campus Rec assistant director Van Davis — “my boss, mentor, Baylor mom, and friend” — with teaching her how to put her faith and passions in action like this.

Sic ’em, AlexAnne!