Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY -- Nearly 17,000 runners hit the pavement Saturday morning in downtown Salt Lake City to raise money for the fight against breast cancer.
The "Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure" is an annual event that attracts more and more people every year.
Survivors and their supporters painted the city pink -- wearing various shades of the color as they broke a sweat for the cause. At the finish line, an impressive amount of money was raised to continue the fight.
The 5K race and one-mile Fun Run kicked off at 8:30 a.m. Crowds packed 300 West in front of the KSL Broadcast House.
Many of the runners are currently battling breast cancer or are survivors of the disease. Others ran in memory of those who've passed away.
Linda Hill, the honorary chair of this year's race, has battled four forms of the disease -- Hodgkin's, thyroid cancer, colon cancer and now breast cancer -- over the past 30 years.
"I look at it like everybody has stuff. You just deal with what comes your way," she said.
But this year's race was extra special for her.
If you have three days or three years left, I would rather spend them smiling and having a good time.
–Linda Hill
"I'm so excited," Hill said. "I've never been able to come before because I've usually been in the hospital or sick or had an organ removed or something. So now, it's really fun to actually be here."
The combination of excellent treatment, and tight knit supports she says, helps keep her going.
"If you have three days or three years left, I would rather spend them smiling and having a good time," Hill said.
Another group included cheerleaders from Taylorsville High School. Several staff members and parents of students have been diagnosed with cancer.
"To look around and see all of the people that are around to support their loved ones, we're doing our little part that we can with Taylorsville," said head cheerleading coach Chalise Farr. "It's pretty incredible."
The cheerleaders said it's the least they could do to support their friends and family during this tough time.
According to the organization's website, the grand total raised from this year's race was more than $214,000 dollars.
E-mail: sdallof@ksl.com
