How true is this quote! I was reminded once again, on Saturday while particating in a local charity run for breast cancer, Run For the Ta Tas. Although I have run  this event in the past, I never expected to run this year (I was in Nashville on Oct. 2,  the day this event was originally scheduled.) Due to bad weather,  the event was postponed to the weekend of Oct. 9 and I  lucked out. Today I want to give you a brief race recap explain what makes this race more than just another  5 K.

Although the cause is serious (the race benefits The Pink Ribbon Project, Pretty in Pink and Love is Bald), the event remains positive and  fun: ladies start first  ( it’s why they call it a  chaser race). Men start exactly 2 minutes 30 seconds after the women (hint on the name: Run for the Ta Tas). First to cross the finish line, male or female, wins $500 cash!  Overall winner this year was Brittany Perkins clocking in with a smoking  finishing time of 17:33! Go Brittany! I was a bit way behind Brittany, finishing the race in 23.55.2  I did however set a new PR with a 7:43 pace. It was good enough for  first place in the female grand masters. More info and results here. 

This race has grown since it’s inception and continues to attract some serious runners, like Brittany.  But you don’t have to be a rock star cross country star to compete in this race. There’s something for just about everyone, including a  1 mile kids run at the start. I especially enjoyed the upbeat atmosphere created by the participants and  I had fun mingling with the crowd after my run…

..and admiring  some of the  funny getups..

.. but more importantly, remembering it’s a terrific tribute!I believe the success of this race reflects positively on our goal as a community to beat breast cancer. It’s not about the PR’s we set, the place we finish , the prizes or fun commemorative t-shirts. It’s about men and women both celebrating their accomplishments and honoring those who put up a fight against breast cancer. Here is a terrific link that highlights some survivor participants. They are the champions and the reason we run!

Who did you run for?

Do you have a special race you participate in for one of your heros/heroines?