Janet Bawcom of Flagstaff, Ariz., and Josh Whitehead of Huntsville zipped to wins Saturday morning in the 19th Liz Hurley Ribbon Run 5K & Survivor’s Walk.
More than 4,300 were registered. The event raises money for the Liz Hurley Breast Cancer Fund at Huntsville Hospital Foundation. More than $6.2 million has been raised including donations made during a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic. Runners this year were welcomed back with thanks and praise for “a sea of pink that looks amazing.”
Hurley was diagnosed with breast cancer about 25 years ago and undewent treatment including a double mastectomy. She has been cancer-free for 24 years. As an Emmy award-winning broadcast journalist with WAFF 48, she has worked diligently to promote the breast cancer awareness, research and wellness programs through the not-for-profit Huntsville and Madison Hospital Breast Centers.
Ribbon Run Results
Bawcom, 44, claimed the women’s title in a time of 18:17. Kelsey Hodges, 30, of Huntsville, was second in 19:01, and Clarissa Hell, 27, of Huntsville, was third in 19:47. Results showed 1,865 participants in the women’s division.
See the full results of the Liz Hurley Ribbon Run women’s division here.
Whitehead, 44, is no stranger to the winner’s podium, having claimed numerous titles around the area for more than a decade. He easily won the Monte Sano 15K just a week before the Ribbon Run. Whitehead crossed under the bright pink finish line Saturday morning in 15:41 amid cheers from pink-clad onlookers.
Grattan O’Neill, 15, of Huntsville, was second in 16:45, and Eric Xing, 18, of Huntsville, was third in 17:17. More than 900 competed in the men’s division.
See the full results of the Liz Hurley Ribbon Run men’s division here.
Event sponsors include CFD Research, Torch Technologies, Redstone Federal Credit Union, WAFF-TV 48, Mix 96.9, and This is Alabama. Huntsville Track Club, Huntsville Hospital Foundation and Fleet Feet helped facilitate race management, along with Huntsville Police Department.
See the top individual and team fundraisers here.
Watch as Liz Hurley leads the breast cancer survivor’s walk that was held prior to the 5K: