Last Saturday, nearly 23,000 racers hit the pavement in Raleigh’s thirteenth annual Race for the Cure. Participants came from all walks of life – children, men, women, race teams, cancer survivors and many students from local universities, including N.C. State. The race is the largest foot race in the state and has currently raised over 10 million dollars to support breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment programs.

Meredith College held the annual event that Susan G. Komen started for the Cure Foundation. Various vendor tents, which offered free beverages, food, information on breast health and lots of souveneirs in various shades of pink lined the lawns of the campus. Both registration numbers and funds raised were down a small percentage from last year’s race. However, more than $1.75 million has already been raised at the end of race day, and event organizers expect to easily meet the 2 million dollar goal, as fundraising continues until June 30.

Sarah Mooney, a junior in business administration, partcipated in the Competitive 5k for her second time.

“The turnout was huge and fundrasing was still phenomenal, considering the hard economic times,” Mooney said. “It was great to see all those people coming together in support of a greater cause, even when times are tought for us all.”

The events of the day kicked off with a 7 a.m. competitive 5k run and awards were given to the top runners in each male and female age category. A women’s only 5k run/walk as well as a recreational co-ed 5k run/walk followed the run. Cancer survivors donned special pink t-shirts and were honored with a catered breakfast, procession and special recognition ceremony.

Competitive runners attached their race bibs to the front of their t-shirts, but on the back was something different. Thousands of participants wore pink signs on their back in celebration of the life of someone special, including moms, sisters, and most importantly, survivors. Many of these signs beared the name of the longtime NCSU women’s basketball coach Kay Yow, who spent 22 years battling breast cancer.

Mooney, who strongly supports what the race stands for, chose to run as her own small way to contribute to the cause and to support and honor the women in her life who have fought the disease.

“I have a close friend who lost her mother to breast cancer when we were in high school,” Mooney said. “I know it would be such an awful thing to lose anyone, let alone your mother, so I wanted to run in honor of her, and also to show my friend that I recognize her mother’s fight and how amazing of a person she was.”

The 5k route began at the start line, located on Hillsborough Street, just down the from the main entrance to Meredith College. Participants followed the course down Hillsborough Street, then took a left down Gardner. On Brooks Avenue, Barmettler Street, Dixie Trail and Clark Avenue, members of the community cheered the racers on. Many spectators set up sprinklers, misters, large fans and water stations to keep racers cool and hydrated.

Luke Allen, a junior in sport management and first-time racer, appreciated the efforts of those who helped out the runners.

“It was an incredible turnout, not just in the race itself, but having people come out of their houses and cheer us on and provide water and support. I was very impressed,” Allen said. “I definitely plan on running again next year.”

In the closing ceremonies, various event organizers thanked the participants, volunteers and sponsors for all of the hard work and dedication that was put in to the event, calling the 2009 Komen NC Triangle Race for the Cure “a huge success.”

With each dollar raised or donated, thousands of women are helped in the fight against breast cancer, and researchers come closer to finding a cure. Donations to the Susan G. Komen foundation can be made year-round online at komennctriangle.org.