Liz Hurley Ribbon Run 2013

The weather is getting cooler, football is in full swing, the ladies finally get to wear their boots (I’m up on stuff), pumpkin spice is in everything… all signs that fall is here, and the Liz Hurley Ribbon Run 2013 is right around the corner!

The Race

The Liz Hurley Ribbon Run 2013 is a 5K race and Survivor’s Walk that raises money for the Liz Hurley Breast Cancer Fund at Huntsville Hospital Foundation. The Fund was established for the purpose of creating awareness about breast cancer, purchasing equipment for breast cancer diagnosis and providing continuing education for the Breast Center staff.

I had a big list of reasons you should support this race. Such as:

• The Liz Hurley Breast Cancer Fund has raised more than $2.7 Million since it’s inception in 1999
• To date, the Liz Hurley Ribbon Run has raised nearly $1.4 Million
• 1 in 8 women are diagnosed with breast cancer
• It is the biggest 5K in North Alabama

The Women behind the Race

Pretty awesome reasons, right? But it is easy to see statistics and think of them as being about some faceless, nameless person. I want to tell you about my friend Ronda Shickles’ reason for forming a team and running this year’s race.

Here is her story:

My Mom was a breast cancer survivor and was passionate about breast cancer awareness and education. She was NOT a runner, but she walked the Liz Hurley Ribbon Run every year and never missed the Survivor’s Walk. She would don her tiara and hot pink boa and strut it out knowing that she had beat breast cancer.

My mom passed away in March of this year. Since she isn’t here for her annual walk, I decided I would do it for her. I needed an outlet for my grief, so I decided that I would run it for her.

I am NOT a runner either and have never been a runner (I’m more of a coucher), but I started training with Fleet Feet and their NOBO training program. What a phenomenal program! I may still be running intervals by race day, but I know my mom will be cheering me on!

I have put together a team of people who loved my mom to run with me. We may not be the fastest team, but we will be the funniest and the snarkiest, and we will make Mom proud. The name of the team is Sweetie’s Girls (her grandkids call her Sweetie).

Everyone Can Help

And THAT is why you need to support this race, and the people in it. There are so many stories out there just like Ronda’s. Stories that should be honored and supported by our community. So please get out there and sign up for the run.

It doesn’t matter if you can run, just keep moving, you will get there eventually! Donate money, cheer on the racers, or find some way to get involved. You will never regret doing something to help others.

Important Info:

• Announcements start at 7:30am
• 5K race starts at 8am
• Survivor’s Walk is at 9:45am
• Registration is capped at 6500 racers with less than 1,000 spots left, so register today!
• This year the race will have one start time for men and women, unlike past years when there was a women’s 5K and a men’s 5K

The Cause

Want to learn more?

• Visit the Huntsville Hospital Foundation website
• Visit the Liz Hurley Ribbon Run website
• Learn more about how you can support Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Huntsville
• Find more Breast Cancer Awareness Month events in Huntsville

Event Information: Liz Hurley Ribbon Run 2013

Date: Saturday, October 19th
Time: Race starts at 8am
Location: Race begins at the corner of Lowe Avenue and Adams Street, and ends at Huntsville Middle School
Cost: $20.00
Registration: Available online through the Liz Hurley Ribbon Run website