Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure® is more than a typical 5k. It’s a major Charlotte event, a celebration of hope and survival. With each step you run, you can help people in our local area who are going through breast cancer.

Race for the Cure is Komen’s largest fundraising and awareness event, and will take place Saturday, Oct. 4, at Marshall Park in uptown Charlotte. Thousands of people come out for the 5k run/walk and raise money to help save lives and find a cure for breast cancer. Last year, Komen Charlotte hosted over 24,000 participants and fans and it is eagerly anticipating more this year. Timing chips are available for competitive runners, who start the race 20 minutes before the walking crowd. Competitive medals are presented to top racers.

The funds raised at Race for the Cure go directly back to the local community. Seventy-five percent of every dollar raised is used to fund community health grants in our area, while 25 percent of funds support national breast cancer research grants. From mammograms and diagnostic services, to education and research grants, Komen Charlotte contributes millions of dollars each year to finding ways to fight breast cancer and increase awareness in our community.

Komen Charlotte serves the following counties: Anson, Cabarrus, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Montgomery, Richmond, Rowan, Stanly and Union; and York County, S.C.

Sign up today at http://www.komencharlotte.org.