A record-setting 16,679 people registered for the 34th annual Especially for You Race Against Breast Cancer, held Oct. 6 at Mercy Medical Center.
This year’s race exceeded the previous record of 16,546 participants in 2023, according to a release.
A total of 587 teams registered for the event, also a record.
Race participants represented 528 cities and 43 states, as well as British Columbia and Guatemala
In total, 1,164 cancer survivors registered for the race, which represents 974 breast cancer and 190 other cancers.
This year’s T-shirt was lavender. The color is changed every year.
Proceeds from race registrations benefit the Especially for You fund. More than $529,046 in registration fees was raised for the fund, which provides financial assistance for breast and gynecological cancer screenings and services for area individuals in need. Since its inception, the Especially for You fund has helped more than 14,000 individuals with 40,000 services in Linn County.
General Mills and Mercy Medical Center are co-founders of the race, which includes a 5K run, 5K walk and a one-mile family fun walk. The route took participants through downtown Cedar Rapids and finished at Mercy’s Hall-Perrine Cancer Center, where participants enjoyed music, kids’ activities, food truck offerings and a health fair.
Race results will be posted at www.especiallyforyourace.org later today.
The first Especially for You Race, held in 1991, drew 1,078 participants.
The race and Especially for You fund are dedicated to the memory of Sandy Knight, a Whittier resident and General Mills employee who died of breast cancer at an early age in July 1991. It was her wish to establish a fundraiser for breast cancer awareness and education.
Business teams with most members:
- Mercy Medical Center – 1,195
- Fairfax State Savings Bank – 384
- OB-GYN Associates – 275
Family teams with most members:
- Team Deb “Live Life Until the End” – 282
- Amber’s Army – 148
- Team JGO – 104
