The weather was perfect, even at 5 am when the site was buzzing with last-minute pre-Race preparations. As the sun started to rise, more and more people began to stream in to the 9th Annual Race for the Cure. 

We won’t have final numbers on the money raised for a few days, and I’ll certainly let you know as soon as I do, but there were some sure signs of success!

I had the great good fortune to be on the lift in front of the starting line on Saturday. As start time approached, we heard over our headsets “We still have people coming in. We’ll have to delay.” News started filtering in from the Registration tents that we had run out of registration forms. The sea of people queing up down Salem Avenue continued out of sight. It was truly something magical to behold.

Senator Richard Burr and his wife, Brooke, one of our Race Founders, started the Race. (Our apologies to all for the non-firing starting pistol). On my right, the timed runners were by in a blur. On my left, a stream of pink as survivors began their walk. And the people kept coming. Lora Songster announced Teams as they passed, the huge Pit Lizards group and the more than 750 members of the WFUBMC Teams, clad in bright orange. The small family teams, the company teams, the teams from churches, and neighborhoods, schools and old friends. 

For many minutes, there were Racers as far as the eye could see in both directions, and the air was electric with the spirit of those who were walking and running below. 

Then back to Tent City, for awards and family fun at sponsor tents and the Chik-Fil-A Kids Area. Sue Wade once again provided us with the best selection of pink ribbon merchandise available anywhere. Native Sound entertained with live music. (Find out more about the band on their Myspace page.) Survivors enjoyed the Energizer Spa. The sponsor booths were alive with activity, and the giving continued at the SecurePointe giving kiosk.

And the 10,000+ crowd quieted as the ladies in pink, our local breast cancer survivors, walked to the stage in procession. 

It was all over too quickly. The site was cleared by a handful of hard-working volunteers. For another year, the Race is done, but our fight continues. The money we raised on Saturday will go to fund local breast cancer screening, education and treatment support programs in the Triad. 25% is earmarked for the National Komen Research Grants program. And next year, we will walk and run again. And the next year, and the next, until we realize our vision of a world without breast cancer. 

Thank you.