They kept coming and coming from all directions, dressed in pink shirts, tights, tu-tus, team fundraiser shirts, fun hats and more. They came Saturday morning with family, friends or the bittersweet memory of a loved one who has died, to walk or run in the 21st Liz Hurley Ribbon Run in downtown Huntsville.
Hurley led the survivor’s walk with a crowd of hundreds of men and women. Each is a strong-willed winner against the insidious disease of breast cancer. Yes, men, you can get breast cancer, too. About 2,800 men get breast cancer each year, far fewer than the estimated 311,000 annually for women. Doesn’t matter who gets it, though. The battle is tough physically, mentally, emotionally for that person, their family and their friends.
More than 20 years ago, Hurley was diagnosed with breast cancer. An Emmy award-winning journalist for WAFF-TV 48 in Huntsville, she revealed to viewers in 1999 the challenge she faced. Hurley had a bilateral mastectomy and ensuing treatments that knocked out the cancer. She created the Ribbon Run in 2003 to help raise money for the Huntsville Hospital and Madison Hospital Breast Centers.
Huge Crowd
Hurley seemed surprised as the crowd continued to swell before the 8:30 a.m. start. After the survivor’s walk, the Ribbon Run crowd began to gather on Lowe Avenue for pre-race activities. Hurley, on the stage in her vivid pink “I WON” sweatshirt, shot some video and smiled broadly before welcoming everyone.
This year’s sold-out field of about 6,500 was more than last year’s. The Ribbon Run is one of the biggest events in the city. By number of registrants and finshers, it’s bigger than the Rocket City Marathon. It’s a handful. But with every registration, every donation, more can be done for the hospital breast centers and those who need treatment. Almost $8 million has been raised since Hurley established Liz Hurley Breast Cancer Fund at Huntsville Hospital in 1999.
Hurley said this year’s proceeds will help with three diagnostic software updates “that cost about $200,000 each.” The centers aren’t buying tongue depressors or gauze. The equipment helps specialists in myriad ways, which helps the patients in their fight. Additionally, Hurley said, with the Ribbon Run proceeds helping so greatly, it means the hospitals can use other funds for other departments. So, it’s not just the cancer centers that are benefitting from the 5K, golf tournament, sponsors and donors.
Watch the Survivor’s Walk below, and find out who won the 5K below the video:
Ribbon Run Winners, Results
While Hurley was anchoring WAFF’s 4 p.m. newscast Friday night, volunteers from Huntsville Hospital, the Huntsville Track Club and Fleet Feet were setting up the start and finish lines. In about two hours, probably just before Hurley sat down to anchor the 6, they were done with all the big stuff. All of the little expo tents and everything else would be set up Saturday morning by those manning the tents.
By Saturday morning, runners found vivid pink banners, a cool finish line chute and an awesome starting line. The downtown route was easy and quiet, save for the cheering folks along the way. Huntsville Police Department provided security on the roads.
Josh Whitehead of Madison took overall honors, finishing in 16:07 to defend his title. Andrue Barnett of Cullman was second in 16:29, and Harrison Morris of Owens Cross Roads was third in 17:04.
Sarah Crouch of Madison took women’s honors and was fourth overall, in 17:23. Candace Jacobs of Huntsville was second (31st overall) in 20:31, and Kelsey Hoffart of Huntsville was third (34th) in 20:43.
The field had 4,687 official finishers. Sponsors included CFD Research, Torch Technologies and Redstone Federal Credit Union, with help from Fleet Feet, Huntsville Track Club, Short Stop Screen Printing, Mix 96.3 and WAFF.
See all of the results of the 21st Liz Hurley Ribbon Run here, and top individual and team fundraisers here.
