FINDLAY, OH (Toledo News Now) -
There was a sea of pink
Saturday on the streets of Findlay.
The inaugural Koman Race
for the Cure was held in the Flag City.
3,000 runners and
walkers of all ages from across the country came to Findlay.
That's twice as many as
organizers expected.
"Well, we actually
started over two years ago with the thought process and planning and getting
approval from the national Koman" says Race chairperson Karen Cline.
Race for the Cure
stepped off in downtown Findlay at the corner of Main and Hardin Streets.
And here's the best
news: $200,000 was raised.
"I'm glad to get
out here and be part of it and support it in anyway I can," said runner
Bill Hardy.
Comparisons were made
between the Findlay and Toledo races.
"The energy in
Toledo is awesome because there's a big sea of people. While here it was just
the closeness and the families and some fun too," said Betty Smith.
Among the participants
were 200 breast cancer survivors, including Mark Goldstein.
He's been in 228 Races
for the Cure, reminding guys along the way they too can develop the killer
disease.
"Men should not die
from breast cancer out of ignorance. I'm here to tell you you can develop the
disease," said Mr. Goldstein.
And as the back of
Mark's t-shirt reads: "Male breast cancer. Rare but there."
Several homes along the race route were decorated in pink.
"Findlay is a wonderful place to raise a family and to work and live, and they get behind all kinds of causes down here," said Kathy Krucki, supervisor of the decorating committee for the race. "So it's not unusual for them to show so much support."
The race wouldn't be the same without that community support. It has taken many people to make it happen. People like Kathy, who is on the operations and decorating committee, but is also a breast cancer survivor.
"I have three daughters," she said. "It's important for them to know that people are working towards a cure so they don't have to go through what I went through. That's my hope."
Kathy and other ladies on the decorating committee have worked hard for the last few months to make sure the city is painted pink. Her home and others on South Main Street are decorated for participants to see.
The committee made sure residents around the race route could show their support by handing out bags filled with decorations like ribbon, pink chalk, a tablecloth and plates to inspire.
"We put a bag on every home that is on South Main Street that is on the race route, so it was about 80 homes," Kathy said.
Businesses showed their support as well.
"It's all over Findlay," said Kizarh Keels, and employee at Wilson's. "I'm surprised our shirts aren't pink yet."
Kathy says the support from the community really means a lot.
"When you're a breast cancer survivor, you really appreciate and understand you need a lot of support. It's not an easy disease to go through," she said. "Even walking is helping. Even putting up a single ribbon is helping, and that is appreciated."
The Findlay Race for the Cure wrapped up around 9 a.m. on Saturday. Toledo's annual Race for the Cure runs from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Sunday, September 29.
For more information, visit http://komennwohio.org/.
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