Especially for You® Race celebrates 27 years with 14,700 participants
More than 14,700 people registered for the 27th annual Especially For You® Race Against Breast Cancer, which took place today at Mercy Medical Center.
This year, $389,000 in race registrations was raised for Especially for You. Proceeds benefit the Especially for You fund, which provides financial assistance for mammography, biopsies, ultrasounds and other breast-care services for area individuals in need. Since 2008, the Especially for You fund has helped more than 5,400 people receive 10,000 services right here in Linn County.
General Mills and Mercy Medical Center are co-founders of the race, which includes a 5K run, 5K walk and a 1 mile family fun walk. The course route took participants through downtown Cedar Rapids, finishing in the NewBo district. A party at the finish line included live music, free kids’ activities, team photo opportunities, mascots, massages and a pancake breakfast.
The Especially for You Race has experienced tremendous growth since the first race in 1991when 1,078 people participated. The race and Especially for You fund are dedicated to the memory of Sandy Knight, a Whittier resident and General Mills employee who died of breast cancer in July 1991. It was her wish to establish a race to raise funds for breast cancer awareness and education.
2017 Race Details
-Total registrants: More than 14,700
-Money raised for Especially for You: More than $389,000 in race registrations
-Total number of registered teams: 457
Teams with Most Members:
- Fairfax State Savings Bank – 1,013
- OB-GYN Associates PC – 188
- Team Deb: Live Life Until The End – 177
Top Business Teams with Most Members:
- Fairfax State Savings Bank – 1,013
- OB-GYN Associates PC – 188
- Schimberg Co. – 135
Top Family Teams with Most Members:
- Team Deb: Live Life Until The End – 177
- Pamela Jo – 89
- Kennedy Volleyball – 85
Fun Facts
- Race participants represented 41 states, 420 U.S. cities and 4 different countries.
- The oldest registrant was Berta Powers at 96 years old.
- Total number of cancer survivors registered for the race – 710
- This year’s t-shirt color was charcoal gray. The color is changed every year.
