EAST LANSING - Over 500 participants gathered at Michigan State University for their annual Race for the Place event.

Whether walking, jogging, walking or even crawling to cross the finish line participants aim was not only to finish, but to help raise awareness on sexual and domestic violence.

The Race for Place event aims to raise not only awareness but money for MSU Safe Place.

"Safe Place is the only on campus program dedicated to survivors of domestic and sexual assault," says former Spartan and runner Diana Bartlett.

Gloria Garcia has been a volunteer for Race for the Place for over 12 years, but this year decided to volunteer for the Clothesline Project on display at Race for the Place.

"This is my first year doing the clothes line project, the project helps to raise awareness on various types of sexual assaults and domestic violence."

The Clothesline Project started at Michigan State in 1992 with a mere 31 shirts and how now grown to having 121 shirts. The shirts are made by victims who wish to share their story, and each shirt's color represents a specific sexual or violent assault, ranging from rape to incest.

"I volunteer because I want a future where my children, friends and sisters can feel safe," says Kiate Jung Clothesline Project Volunteer.

Safe Place provides shelter, support groups, individual counseling and advocacy services.

Michigan state's safe place hopes to raise at least $25,000 to further awareness on domestic and sexual violence