The familiar name “Susan G. Komen” is being bandied about in a new way in Roanoke; the area’s inaugural “Race for the Cure” will be held Saturday, April 10, at Green Hill Park. By mid week there were 1,600 participants registered; in-person registration will continue on Friday from 12 noon until 7 p.m. and on race day from 6:30 – 8 a.m. at Green Hill Park.
The Susan G. Komen foundation is well established as a leading organization whose mission is to increase breast cancer awareness and to fund screenings and research for a cure. It is not happenstance that the Race for a Cure has come to Roanoke. Several criteria had to be met in order for Roanoke to be chosen.
According to Race Chair Wendi Schultz, there is an application process which includes forming an affiliate at the local level, then applying to the national office, which looks at the area’s infrastructure and the level of volunteer and community support. Once that was done, “the rest is history,” says Schultz. Roanoke joins both Richmond and the Tidewater area which have held the race for many years. After that, the event “is very community-based,” said Schultz. The races are not at the same time; the community can determine when it is held. “I am absolutely thrilled” the race is here. She had predicted there would be a good turnout because “the cause is so phenomenal; it is a superb organization to support.”
She adds that, “75% of the money raised stays here to fund education and screenings in the 19 county area that we cover. The other 25% goes to national research; none of it goes to administrative costs—the national organization does their own fundraising for that.”
The runners / walkers signed up for Saturday’s race follows the national average in that about 8 -10% of those participating are survivors; the rest are friends, family and others supporting the cause. So far, that translates to 123 teams registered, including 118 survivors and over $174,000 raised to this point.
In addition to the run and walk/run events, there are other traditions participants can enjoy, including the “Survivor Tent” and the “Garden of Hope” which will be an explosion of beauty in pink tulips and colorful wooden petunias. People can “honor the life of those who have survived or have lost their battle with breast cancer by purchasing one of these flowers.” The flowers will be available for pickup after the race.
There is more fun in the offing as Schultz explains that, “we will be recognizing the t-shirt with the “Most Unique Design” and the t-shirt with the “Most Creative Slogan.” On Race day, we’ll have judges circulating through the crowd to select one winner in each of these two categories.” Anyone who is present is eligible to be chosen. So release your inner artist and/or wordsmith and see some wonderful t-shirts at the inaugural Race for the Cure.
For more information, visit komenroanoke.org. Opening Ceremonies begin at 8 a.m. 5K competitive race begins at 8:30 a.m.; 5K run/walk begins at 9:15 a.m. with ceremonies following at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m.
By Cheryl Hodges [email protected]