Thousands of West Virginians will put their sneakers to the test Saturday and it’s all for a good cause.
More than 4,500 people are signed up for the 2013 Susan G. Komen West Virginia Race for the Cure in Charleston. But event organizer Rachel Schmidt expect between 5,500 to 6,000 to make the 5-k run/walk.
“We’ve got people coming locally from Charleston. We have people coming from the Eastern Panhandle. We have people coming in from Ohio,” says Schmidt. “They are coming in from all over.”
And they’ve all got one goal in mind, raise money for breast cancer research, mammograms and awareness.
“I’d love for us to raise a half million dollars. That money we get gets to be granted out in West Virginia. I’d love to see a half million dollars go out locally.”
Last year, the WV Race for the Cure raised $350,000. Schmidt is confident they will meet their goal.
“It just goes to helping a great cause and helping us find a cure,” stresses Schmidt.
If you haven’t signed up, it’s not too late. You can register the day of the race from 7am to 8:45. It’s $30 for timed runners and $20 for untimed runners or walkers. You take the 5-k at your own pace. It starts at the state Capitol and goes down Kanawha Blvd. and back.
Schmidt says it doesn’t matter if you’re a trained athlete or a couch potato, this is one race worth joining.
“They should come because it supports a great cause. It supports our local communities. Seventy-five percent of our dollars stay in West Virginia,” says Schmidt. “It just a good time.”
The race starts at 9am.