Hundreds took part in Integrity Worldwide’s Run For Kenya Saturday and made a difference thousands of miles away.

People came from all around to participate in Integrity’s 5K, 10K and 1-mile runs and to do their part in helping a village in Meto, Kenya. All proceeds from Saturday were going toward building a medical clinic in Meto.

“I think about the children that are overseas and throughout the nation and the world who are hungry and homeless, and it’s just a small thing that I can do,” said Calvert Wright, who traveled from Monroe County to take part in the 10K.

It was obvious that so many in Saturday’s race felt the same drive to help.  More than 300 people had pre-registered for the race and dozens more registered Saturday morning.

“It’s important because we have been placed on Earth for the benefit of somebody else ,” said Mark Watters, who is from Selma and ran the 10K. “So, by participating in this, it’s helping people in an area that need help.”

This year the race was moved from Bloch Park to Arsenal Place Accelerator and its neighboring streets so that organizers could accommodate both the 5K and 10K run. It also gave runners a chance to experience Selma’s downtown.

Like in year’s past, live music was played and inflatables were set up to entertain children, although many of them took part in one of the races as well.

Once again, the people and businesses of Selma poured in support for Integrity, which earlier in 2015 installed a well in Leboo, Kenya so that villagers would have drinking water without having to walk miles each day.

“Selma is unique in that for a small town the sponsorships have been unbelievable and the businesses that support us and give above and beyond,” said race organizer Elizabeth Gilmer.

“Not only that but they are all here, most of them are running and a lot of them are volunteering.”

Integrity hoped to raise $80,000 through the event and although the numbers weren’t quite in yet, Gilmer said they were very close to that goal.

“It’s so awesome to know that this medical clinic is a reality and it will be breaking ground in 2016,” Gilmer said. “Just knowing the impact that thousands of people in Meto, Kenya and the surrounding area are going to have medical care because of this clinic and because of what Selma is doing and giving and sacrificing for the people there and this run is a big part of what is going to get to happen there.”