Painting the town pink for loved ones
The fourth annual Paint the Town Pink 5K color run/walk took place yesterday with participants in pink, purple, blue and orange tutus filling Jefferson Street before making their way through town.
“We do this on behalf of my sister who passed away from breast cancer four years ago, but we support all cancers. We want to find a cure for all cancers,” said Kristi Lowery, Vice President of the #teamcorrie Cancer Foundation. The Foundation holds the annual 5K in memory of Corrie Gross Bechtelheimer with proceeds going toward grants for “Union County cancer warriors,” Lowery said.
Before the start of the event, participants gathered in the intersection of Jefferson and Elm Streets for a purple balloon release in honor of Corrie. Lowery said that so far, the Foundation has been able to give out 82 $1,000 grants to those suffering from cancer in Union County.
“I’d just like to thank everyone in our community who donates and participates in this sort of thing,” said
Kerry Murphree, a grant recipient. Murphree lives with a Stage IV breast cancer diagnosis and ran the 5K in spite of that.
After the balloon release, the runners made their way down Jefferson and eventually back around to Hill Street, where they completed the race. Along the route, Girl Scouts and students stood roadside to cover the participants in multi-colored powders. Chris Lynch, an Arkansas State Trooper, was the first to finish.
“[I ran] to support #teamcorrie. My mother-in-law had breast cancer and a double mastectomy,” Lynch
said. His wife, Lauren, said this was their first time to run the race.
As more runners, joggers and walkers ran through the pink and purple balloon arch finish line, emcees Carter Bryant and DJ Reg welcomed them with words of encouragement and music that filled the square.
“It was hard, lots of hills,” said cancer survivor Sarah Bauldree. She is currently training to run in the New York City Marathon with the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition.
“I feel accomplished! I did a good time,” Bauldree said, saying she finished the 5K in 29 minutes and 15 seconds.
“It was hard, but it was awesome. I feel great,” said runner Lindsey Griffin. She
said she has been running in the 5K every year since its inception. This year she convinced her husband to join her, which she said helped to keep her focused.
Jennifer Hilburn was there with her young daughter, Sarah. She said she was running in honor of her friend, Kayla Grace McHenry, a #teamcorrie Cancer Foundation grant recipient.
“A good friend of ours, Kayla Grace, was diagnosed with leukemia,” Hilburn said, noting that she wore an orange tutu in honor of leukemia patients.
“[Seeing Kayla’s diagnosis] brought how close cancer can come to everyone,” she said. She added that Kayla has since gone into remission.
Justin Obiozo, 8, said this was his second year to run, along with his brother, 13-year-oldKieran Obiozo, .
“I did it last year and won a trophy. This year, I don’t know, I just did it,” Justin said.
“It’s fun, and it’s better than sitting on my couch,” Kieran said. Afterwards, he reported feeling refreshed from the run.
Caroline Callaway said she ran to help support her community.
“It’s a good cause and a way to get out and be active. … We want to show support to our community and community members that can’t get out and walk [the 5K],” Callaway said. Callaway’s mother, Pam, is currently undergoing treatment for kidney cancer.
Madison Ferda said she was new in town and wanted to get involved in the community.
“It’s very touching to see everyone affected,” she said. She added that she was able to make a few new friends through the race, Theresa Murry and Kerri Gittle.
“We love to run. And it was a good cause!” Murry said. The three women sat on the concrete to rest and watch the rest of the participants finish the race.
Awards were handed out about an hour and a half after participants left the starting line. Chris Lynch was awarded first place, followed by Dr. Don Brotherton in second and Kash Stone in third. Kerry’s Crew, a group running with Kerry Murphree, won the first place stroller award, with Hannah Beth coming in second in that category.
After the awards ceremony, participants gathered near the finish line on Hill Street, where they burst bags of pink and purple powder, creating a cloud that surrounded them all.
Kristi Lowery said that although the turnout this year was smaller than she’d hoped, she was pleased with all the support the #teamcorrie Cancer Foundation has found in the community.
“It was a lot of fun,” she said. “Every dollar helps in the fight for a cure.”