The 9th annual DE-feet Breast Cancer 5K and Fun Walk was held at Tanger Outlets May 20, with all funds raised benefiting Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition's local breast cancer programs providing support, survivorship, education, awareness and lifesaving screenings to the community.
The coalition organized the event while Tanger Outlets in Rehoboth Beach hosted the race. With help from a large number of sponsors throughout the state, along with Races2Run producing the event and keeping track of the participant's times, a rain-filled week gave way to the sunshine for such a special event.
A sea of pink gathered behind Tanger Outlets, near the running trail, as community members, breast cancer survivors, running enthusiasts and teams supporting people who have been diagnosed came together to help raise money and awareness.
This event honored the life and memory of Kim Miller and others who passed away from breast cancer.
Coalition Vice President of Development Christina Richter welcomed the crowd. "Thank you so much for your support, and for joining us today to honor all of those men and women who have shown tremendous strength and resilience in their battle with breast cancer. Events like this bring the community together and shed light on how so many people show a concern for working together for a common cause," Richter said.
Over 500 people took part in the 5K Run/Walk, or the One-Mile Fun Walk.
"We are so glad to be able to continue to organize such an important event that recognizes our survivors and sheds light on the great lives of those who we unfortunately lost. With this being our ninth year, and now combining with the Kim Miller 5K, we only see this continuing to grow. I couldn't be more thankful for all of those who helped contribute to this event and the more than 500 people who pre-registered and even more that came today to join us. It is clear that we have overwhelming support from not only businesses in our community but the members of the community who came out to take part in such a special event," said DBCC Communications Director Beth Krallis overcome with pure joy to see so many familiar and new faces cross the finish line.
Following the race and walk, awards were given out to the top male and female runners as well as giveaways for Best Outfit, Team Spirit and recognizing the team that raised the most money.
The top three men's times were: Francisco Pauc of Georgetown at 18:33, Ulises Castaneda of Milford at 19:22 and Pete Rosembert of Milford at 19:28.
The top three women's times are as follows: Karen Sposato of Milton at 22:22, Natalie Quigley of Georgetown at 22:35 and Joanna Kollar at 23:36.
The Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Wilmington, with offices in both Kent and Sussex County, offering statewide programs and services of education, outreach, and early detection and treatment of breast cancer. Its mission is to create a community where every person diagnosed with breast cancer is a survivor, and fear and doubt are replaced with knowledge and hope.
For information on the DBCC and to find out more about this event, go to http://debreastcancer.org/.
For photos from the event visit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/dbcc/albums/72157691305580160.