Miles of Hope race aids breast cancer patients

It’s not often that I write about races in Dutchess County that aren’t in the northern section of the county, but the Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation 5k is a worthy exception.

Now in its 14th year, the annual run in Tymor Park in LaGrangeville raises money to help breast cancer patients and their families who live throughout the Hudson Valley.

This is not a race entry fee being sent to a large organization that will use it for administrative costs, but instead a small nonprofit agency that keeps all of those dollars locally to have the greatest impact on our area residents.

Some of the programs funded by Miles of Hope include complementary medicine assistance, scholarships for collegebound survivors/ families, a medical gap fund to help purchase medicine not covered or underfunded by health insurance, peer-to-peer counseling for patients, and LaBoutique at Vassar Brothers Medical Center.

This year’s race will be held on April 22 at Tymor Park, with the festivities starting at 10 a.m. with a 1-mile run for kids ages 4-12.

At 10:30 a.m., the 5k begins and is open to runners and walkers alike.

Expect plenty of survivors, who will gather for a group photo at 9:30 a.m., to be among the participants at the race.

If you register ahead of time, it’ll cost $25 to enter, otherwise, it is $35 on race day.

The kids’ race is free for pre-registered and if you wait until race day, the cost is $10.

Registration on race day begins promptly at 8 a.m. and closes at 9:30 a.m.

After the race, enjoy all of the activities including a 50/50 raffle, basket and gift certificate raffles and some great merchandise to help support the cause.

This year’s race will honor Wappingers Falls resident Carol Quaid.

More details about the race can be obtained by emailing to lorirun4@hotmail.com and you can learn more about Miles of Hope online at www.milesofhope.org.