20th annual Komen Race gets a new location downtown
The 2oth annual Susan G. Komen Arkansas Race for the Cure Texarkana is just around the corner. The race is scheduled to take place Oct. 20 at a brand new location—Front Street Festival Plaza in Downtown Texarkana.
“With it being our 20th year, we thought it would be exciting to move it downtown,” said Amber Lawrence, Komen Arkansas Southwest Region director. “Race participants will walk both sides of our city and we thought that was very exciting.”
Another new thing this year is the 1.5 mile celebration walk in addition to the 5K competitive race.
“We will have two different courses this year. … The 5K route is strictly for competitive runners and the other route is for those who just want to do the celebratory walk/run,” Lawrence said.
Registration is $35 for competitive runners, $25 for regular participants, $20 for children newborn to 12 and $10 for dogs.
Organizers are expecting about 5,000 participants and hope to raise about $250,000 with the event.
Twenty-five percent of the money raised goes to research and 75 percent stays here locally to provide screening and diagnostic services to people who are uninsured or underinsured.
“The funds we raise are distributed through community grants in our service area. This year those grants are funding programs at Wadley Regional Medical Center, CHRISTUS St. Michael (Health System), Genesis Primecare and Little River Memorial Hospital,” Lawrence said. “The programs funded are designed to provide screening and diagnostic care for uninsured and underinsured women who need assistance. These dollars save lives.”
Race for the Cure has been a successful fundraiser in Texarkana since the first race in 1998.
Lawrence said it’s the heart people put into this event that make it stand out.
“I hope that what makes our event special is the way we make people feel,” she said. “That day for us is a day of celebration and a day to remember our survivors and those who have fought breast cancer. We hope that when people walk through the gate, they are inspired. Also, this is an opportunity for people to support their local community and raise funds for people around them who need it. The volunteers and participants are the reason we’ve been as successful as we have been.”
RACE SCHEDULE
7 a.m.—late registration, packet pick-up and team pictures.
7 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.—top team fundraising/VIP breakfast
7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.—team pictures
8 a.m.—survivor photos and survivor parade
8:30 a.m.—opening ceremonies 9 a.m.—competitive 5K begins 9:30 a.m.—1.5 mile downtown walk begins
10:30 a.m.—closing ceremonies and team awards at the Front Street stage
10:30 a.m.—survivor brunch
RACE DAY INFORMATION
Parking—Participants are advised to arrive early because parking is limited in the downtown area and streets will be closed at 8:30 a.m. A limited number of handicap spaces are available on Broad Street between Wood and Olive streets. Park and ride will be available from Razorback Stadium, the Wadley Regional Medical Center parking lot on Texas Boulevard, Beech Street Baptist Church, St. Edwards Catholic Church and 1st United Methodist Church, Arkansas. Survivor-only parking is available at the former Regions Bank Building parking lot.
Race Day Registration will be located at the caboose on Wood and Broad Streets. There is an extra $10 late registration fee, excluding survivors.
Race bibs must be worn at all times by all participants.
Dog for the Cure: One dog will be allowed to register with an adult participant for $10. Proof of rabies vaccinations must be provided and a release form must be signed by the adult participant. A Dogs for the Cure table will be available next to the registration table at Wood and Broad streets. Each registered dog will receive an armband and bandana on race morning after they check in.
Baby strollers/wagons/dogs— People who participant with a stroller, wagon or dog are asked to position themselves at the end of the line behind all other walkers.
Water stops—Water will be located at the end of the family walk as well as within the Front Street race grounds.
Information/Lost and Found— Information tents are located inside the Front Street grounds
In honor of/memory of bibs can be picked up at the registration table or information tents. There will be a limited number of extra safety pins available race morning so participants may want to bring their own.
Be sure to visit komenarkansas. org for more information as race day approaches.
AFFILIATE HISTORY
The Komen Texarkana Race for the Cure is truly a grassroots movement adopted and championed by the twin cities of Texarkana, Ark., and Texarkana, Texas, and their many surrounding communities.
Texarkana breast cancer survivors Kathi Couch and Becky Blake, along with Judy Morgan, a group of friends, the Wadley Foundation and Wadley Women’s Guild were vital in the effort to have Texarkana approved by Komen as a Race host city. When approval was announced in October 1998, Texarkana was the smallest city approved as a Race site.
Since inception, the Komen Texarkana Race for the Cure has raised more than $5 million to give back to the local community grantees and service area. These programs have served thousands of individuals. This has been accomplished due to all the amazing support the Komen Texarkana Race for the Cure has had through the individuals who register, sponsor and donate. Every dollar makes a difference in this journey.