Susan G Komen Race For The Cure

I’ve run many marathons, half marathons, 10K, 5Ks, etc and this particular race at least four times over the past ~10 years. I fully support the brave women who are battling breast cancer, those who are survivors and the families who have tragically lost a loved one. But this race just isn’t a great experience for your average runner. First, the bibs were sent out just a few days before the event and there was almost no information on the website or in the registration confirmation email about it. The announcer at the start of the race was not at all inspiring, just annoying, during the warm up phase, the course was crowded (to be expected) and too narrow in a few points (near the ballpark). The quality of the vendors/​free stuff has declined substantially. No goody bag, just a banana, granola bar and applesauce from Safeway. And it took about 4 days to get the race results up online. Overall, the primary goal of this race seems to be fundraising; a quality experience for most runners is a very distant second, or third or fourth. This is my last year running this one — I’ll stick with Bridge to Bridge, Run Wild for a Child or the 12K Across the Bay from now on.

This was my very first 5K, and I loved every minute of it. This year I helped organize a team from my work, «SFGH Team-​Carol» in recognition for a fellow coworker who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.
I did the untimed run/​walk which was really nice. There was a huge turnout, and the run was amazing. You can’t beat running along the Embarcadero with fellow supporters.
I was very happy with the organization of the event. It was a great first time race experience, and I can’t wait for next year’s event.

It’s that time again when people are becoming aware of Breast Cancer and Susan G Komen’s 3 day Walk for a Cure.
Having witnessed all the positive, all the possible, all the inspiration that this event gives to survivors and participants I urge you to support this cause.
In your lifetime you will know someone affected by breast cancer.
Your friends, family or coworkers will be training for this walk. Some may ask for donations, some may not. It takes courage to do this and sometimes more courage to ask for financial support. With the economy going from bad to worse, asking for financial support becomes harder to do. Any donation makes a difference and gives hope, every donation goes to saving lives.
I truly believe the cure is reachable within a generation and I believe Susan G Komen is a fantastic organization. They will be getting my support this year, can they get yours?

* THIS REVIEW IS IN LOVING MEMORY OF SKUTIE TURNER DALTON *
** THIS REVIEW IS IN HONOR OF LORNA WHO STRUGGLES DAILY **
My husband and my daughter have been partipating the in Susan G. Komen Run every September. It’s something that the two of them decided that they wanted to do together to honor my mother-​in-​law who did not survive her battle but left a legacy for others and my BFF since 4^th grade who is a survivor who battles that aftereffects of Cancer and Chemo.
In addition to raising much needed funds for research, the Susan G Komen Foundation creates awareness and brings life and vitality to the thousands of runners who participate in this annual event!
To get more information:

You can never go wrong with supporting such a great cause. Parking was awesome! Free goodies were awesome! Registration was easy and it was kid friendly…
It was a wonderful event and although my 1 year old won’t remember participating in it, you can never start them to early! It was a beautiful thing seeing the survivors and participants wearing «In honor of» or «In memory of» signs.
I’m looking forward to next year!

This is a great cause, and great event if you approach it with the right attitude. This is NOT the event for you if you are trying to get a PR and be surrounded by «serious» runners. It has a relatively late start, and parking is surprisingly easy. I agree with Linda T, is is not as well organized as some other events. There was REALLLLY good swag at this event. Plenty of free goodies, and fun booths. The course is v. flat and easy for anyone to complete.

Let me start this off by saying I’m not a runner. I did the 5K walk (I like doing fundraising walks, although I hate asking people for donations). They offer a 5K run, 5K walk, & 1 mile fun walk. This was my first time doing Race for the Cure in SF. Unfortunately, I missed last year’s race, but prior to that, I’d been doing the Detroit race for a few years.
Comparing it to the Detroit race, the start is not as organized. Granted, I’d carpooled with 2 runners, so said, «See you in about an hour», but then ended up starting with them, towards the back of the group of runners so I didn’t get in too many people’s way (I have no desire to be trampled). Well, it turns out the nice thing with starting at the back of the group of runners, is that I didn’t have to weave my way through all the slow walkers in huge groups and strollers & all that, which I’ve done in the past. The course is along the Embarcadero, starting at the Ferry Building & going down just past AT&T Park, so it’s rather flat (easy) and scenic/​beautiful. It’s an out & back course, so, as I’m walking out, I got to cheer on the runners who were on their way back as they passed me & even found the 2 runners I’d gone with. There’s a water station & taiko drummers near the turnaround. Again, I think they could’ve done a better job keeping the two directions divided, so that there was more room for the people on their way back, because I know that on my way back, I had to try to avoid the overflow of walkers on their way up, & I’m sure this is annoying for the runners. However, seeing the amount of participants is always impressive, as this race is to support breast cancer research, education, screening, & treatment!
There was a time clock by the finish line, which I didn’t notice until we (the Unilocalers I carpooled with & I) were taking pictures by the finish line, & according to that, I finished in less than 49 minutes, so I’d say not bad, for walking (faster than I’d expected, since I’d estimated about an hour). Hmm… after looking at the link that Walter P provided in his review for race chip stats, I might just sign up for the run to get a race chip (to really find out how long it took me), because according to the list there were a lot of people w/​chips that finished after me.
They hand out free bottles of water afterwards, along with some snacks, if you go check out a bunch of the booths after the race. There’s also a ceremony for breast cancer survivors (arranged by the number of years survivors), which is quite moving… see Walter P’s pics of survivors.
I’m hoping to make this an annual event for me in SF as I did in Detroit!
Public Service Announcement: Ladies, do monthly breast exams, get an annual exam by a health care provider, and if you’re 40 years old & up, get an annual mammogram! (Sorry, I’ve only taken care of women in the last several years, so I don’t have advice for the men, although men can get breast cancer too.)

It is great to be a part of an event that encourages activity and also to support such a great cause. It was inspiring to see so many people running in memory or in honor of loved ones.
The young girls chanting «Early detection is the best protection» were enthusiastic and really bridged the gap between sending a serious message and being lively cheerleaders.
The post race party was awesome — this grad student will happily be marketed to if it means free Naked Juice, Power Bars, sun chips, Safeway Applejuice…
HOWEVER — if you are thinking of running fast, line up at the very front for the start and stay to the right towards the end, as the walkers on your left start taking over the runners lane.

«Work it, make it, do it,
Makes us harder, better, faster, STRONGER!
N-​now th-​th-​that that don’t kill me
Can only make me Stronger!» *
In the fall of 1996, I set off on a journey that would change my life and embrace serenity. I had just lost my mother to cancer that August. I wanted to dedicate a part of my life to honor my mother and support an organization that continues to promote the research and development for a cure of cancer. This is my second time to run the race and again support a strong cause.
The Event
Susan Komen left behind the legacy of awareness to discover the individuals in this lifetime that they are not alone fighting against cancer. Survivors from many walks of life were honored ranging from their years of survival: one year, ten years, fifteen years, twenty years, twenty-​five years, and 30 plus years. Often I looked up in the cloudy skies yesterday and wondered if my mother survived, would she be here joining these survivors. Only God can answer me. All I can say is that my prayers are with these survivors and their families. These individuals know the true meaning of life — Live life to its fullest. Wake up each day as a blessing. Do great things before the day ends. I’m thankful that this year I had a digital camera. Last year I didn’t have one. So I hope you readers can see what I captured at this year’s event. Think about these survivors and ask yourself what I can do to help.
The Race
This year I wasn’t alone. Thank you Omar T. and Linda T. for joining me. It’s always a joy to have friends support a great cause. Linda decided to walk this event as Omar and I ran. The course was the same as last year (and maybe the previous years). We started at the Ferry builing, ran down the Embarcedero, under the Bay Bridge, looped around the Giants stadium, out to the side pier (water station and Japanese drum group), back on the Embarcedero, and to the finish line at the Ferry building. I’m so proud that I’ve gotten better at my running. This year’s timing: 30 minutes, 46 seconds. (beating last’s time of 44 minutes and the Seattle Race for the Cure of 32 minutes). I’m not a hardcore runner. This is all leisure and my way of honoring mother. Running races like these are my stress relievers, my serenity and reminder that I can go great things to honor those we lost.
And now for the next five days, I must strengthen my right calf (the months of running have taken its toll on my body). This is normal for all runners so wish me luck. I’m looking forward to my next Race for the Cure 5K Run. Onward to Chicago!
Thank you to all my sponsors, supporters, and especially my family and friends that given me the inspiration to participate again. This again was for you MOMMY! I love you and miss you!!!
Notes:
Race Chip details (this year they had timing chips):
* My IPOD Theme Song for this event — «Stronger» — Kanye West