In 50 days time, one of the biggest pushbacks in the battle against breast cancer will hit the ground running.
The CIBC Run for the Cure Barrie/Orillia event started in 1999 and, to date, more than 31,000 participants have raised over $5.3 million to support breast-cancer research.
Volunter run director Shelley Irwin says the autumn event is just around the corner.
“It is a lot of work, for sure,” Irwin said at a flag-raising event Monday. “This is called Paint Canada Pink Week and signifies 50 days until run day."
Run for the Cure takes place Oct. 6 at Heritage Park in Barrie and welcomes runners from throughout the region.
Similar events are held nationwide. In all, more than 80,000 people are expected to participate in 57 communities this year.
Participants can run or walk a 1K or 5K route, with many teams opting to come up with fun names and themes.
“It is such a great team-building event," Irwin said. "So many people make it fun for themselves as they dress up or sing and make noise.
“The other side of it is there are those who are celebrating either the life of a loved one or that of a survivor," she added. "It can be a very emotional day.”
According to statistics, one in eight Canadian women are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Events like Run for the Cure are trying to help reduce that number.
For more information about the local run, click here.
