THE TRADITIONAL SYMBOL FOR a 30th anniversary is a pearl. In the case of this special anniversary for the Komen Northwest Ohio Race For The Cure, that pearl is pink.
Pink is the signature color symbolizing the fight against breast cancer, which is Komen’s reason for being. So for this year’s 30th annual event “it’ll be all pink, all weekend, all downtown,” said Gretchen Awad, executive director of Komen Northwest Ohio Race For The Cure.
It indeed will be a weekend-long event in downtown Toledo. Friday, September 22, a sponsor expo featuring Dave’s Running and the Komen shop, where Komen merchandise will be available, will be from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Fifth Third Field. The next day, race events open at 7:00 a.m. near Fifth Third Field; breast cancer survivor events will begin at 8:15 a.m. in Hensville; the opening ceremony will be at 9:00 a.m., with the race—a 5K run and a one-mile family fun walk—beginning at 9:30 a.m.
Toledo’s Komen race traditionally was on a Sunday. Last year for the first time, the Toledo race was billed as being in Northwest Ohio, a nod to the race that had been in Findlay on Saturdays. The races were combined because of staffing issues.
This year, the Northwest Ohio race will be on Saturday because Dave’s Running, a longtime Komen race sponsor, on Sunday, September 24 in Toledo will host a half-marathon to benefit Komen. “Those who register for both races will receive a limited-edition pink-ribbon-challenge medal,” Awad said—hence the allpink, all-weekend theme.
The other facet of the Komen race that’s new this year involves T-shirts. Awad said the special commemorative shirts usually are picked up on race day, but this year they are available only through the mail. (The date to register to receive a T-shirt by race day was in August, but T-shirts still can be ordered before the race by visiting komen.org/community/ohio/ northwest-ohio; they’ll be delivered after the race).
The T-shirt distribution change “saves time and confusion on race day, because I’m a staff of one,” Awad said. “It allows me to accurately order the number of T-shirts—gray for runners, pink for survivors, who are recognized on race day. This saves mission dollars. Anything we can do to put more money toward our mission—that’s the goal of this event.”
“The mission of Komen is to save lives in the fight against breast cancer,” she said. A focus of that mission is research, funded in large part by money raised at Komen races nationwide. Money comes through the $45 registration fee, racers’ fundraisers through friends and family, and sponsorships.
“Komen is the number-two cancer researcher in the country, following the U.S. government,” Awad said with pride. “Komen recently announced the awarding of $19.3 million in research grants in 2023. Most of that research is focused on aggressive breast cancer, metastatic breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.”
Other money raised goes toward patient navigation. “Every woman who undergoes breast cancer treatments has a different journey, a different insurance, or often no insurance at all, and a different lifestyle,” she said. “We help navigate how women are best cared for—making sure we’re breaking down barriers to care. We strive for equal and equitable care no matter where they live or their financial challenges.”
Awad added, “No matter their challenges, financial or access to care, that’s where Komen steps in.”
Komen can be reached through its website at komen.org or at 1-877-GOKOMEN (1-877-465-6636). “Just as easy as that,” Awad said. The inquirer will be put in touch with someone who will ask a brief medical history, get the person’s needs, and start the navigation process.
Of the September 23 race, Awad said registration has been trending ahead of last year, with a potential of 3,000 runners and walkers showing up on race day. Adding the family, friends, spectators, and volunteers expected to attend, “there’ll be between 7,000 and 8,000 people downtown that morning,” Awad said.
She added that the event will be broadcast live by WTOL. She lauded the TV station as a longtime supporter. “Their entire staff embraces our mission,” she said.
Awad urged anyone who plans to be at the race to register and donate, even if they don’t run or walk. Or just, as she said, “be here and enjoy. Meet the people who you are helping. Race For The Cure is the most inclusive event in downtown Toledo. You can literally meet the people you are helping to save through your donation dollars.”
Dennis Bova is a freelance writer and editor. ✲
