UO dancers get groove on and on.

Byline: Andrea Damewood The Register-Guard

The latest dance craze sweeping the University of Oregon doesn't have anything to do with being sexy - after 15 straight hours of keeping the beat, it's more about being sleepy.

More than 200 UO students gathered at 9 a.m. Saturday to begin the university's first Dance Marathon, a student-organized endurance event to raise money for the Children's Miracle Network at Sacred Heart Medical Center and Doernbecher Children's Hospital in Portland.

This year's goal was $15,000, and while final results were not slated to be announced until the marathon ended at midnight, student spokeswoman Marisa Olson said, "We're definitely going to be around there."

Participants - mostly from Greek houses, dorms and campus political groups - raised at least $150 each through a letter-writing campaign to families, friends and businesses, Olson said.

By 1 p.m., revived by lunch, most dancers mustered enough pep to toss balloons and beach balls with young children and their families who had been helped by Children's Miracle Network.

Families took the stage about once an hour to share their stories, motivate and thank the students.

Those with little ones mingled in a quiet side room full of children's activities, where dancers could join the kids to color and play.

"Our boys wouldn't be here today if it weren't for Children's Miracle Network," Cottage Grove resident Tina Costa said as her 2-year-old twin boys, Cohen and Conner, liberally applied Children's Miracle Network stickers to almost everything in sight. Born 12 weeks premature, the pair spent 10 weeks in the Sacred Heart Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit.

"I think (the marathon is) wonderful; it's great to get as much involvement as possible. We're just grateful."

To make the experience more meaningful, each participating group was assigned a family to spend time with prior to the event, Olson said.

As the hours dragged on, it was the children who kept many dancers going: Each member pledges to dance for the full 15 hours, during which they must remain moving, even if only to shuffle their feet a bit.

"I like to dance, I love kids - put them together and you have yourself a great afternoon," said UO senior Bo Wright, who was dancing for Sigma Alpha Epsilon. His fraternity brother, junior Dan Tate added, "You mean a great 15 hours, not afternoon. My legs are hurting a lot."

Not a single pair of high heels tottered about the ballroom; comfortable clothing was a must.

Everyone wore matching bright blue T-shirts with the Dance Marathon logo, some accenting their outfits with Converse shoes and leg warmers, others sporting sweatpants and running shoes.

Dancers said they prepared for their grueling day by curtailing Friday night partying and getting plenty of sleep.

The Dance Marathon tradition began in 1995 at Pennsylvania State University and has spread to more than 80 campuses nationwide, although it's not yet common among West Coast schools, Olson said.

The event found its footing at the UO when graduate student Juile Stevens brought the organizational knowhow from her undergraduate experience at Iowa State University.

Although many on this year's executive committee will graduate soon, many underclassmen said they plan to participate in the future.

"I think it's a great cause," said freshman Grace Neal, who joined the marathon with community service organization Alpha Phi Omega. Knowing that she was part of the first Dance Marathon at her university inspires her to help build a tradition, she said.

"Knowing what this is going towards - seeing a family on stage or little kids running around - you know that you're doing something really good by participating."