Record number expected for Hoosiers Outrun Cancer events

Debbie Sibbitt experiences a moment each year when her heart soars. On a day when thousands of people come together to support one cause, Sibbitt finally sees a year of work come together. That day this year will be Saturday, the day of the annual Hoosiers Outrun Cancer race.\n"You can see it in people's faces, when they look out over this huge crowd of people," said Sibbitt, a member of the Hoosiers Outrun Cancer steering committee. "Especially students. It takes you aback to know how many of these people are going through the same thing or know someone who is."\nThis year's race, to be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday on the west side of Memorial Stadium, will be the seventh running of an event that gives thousands of dollars to the cause.\nSibbitt expects more than 4,000 people to participate in events this year -- the largest number of registrants ever. The day includes a 5K run, a 5K walk, a 1-mile kids run, family fitness walk and an awards ceremony.\nSeveral IU athletic teams will participate in the 5k run, including the men's and women's basketball teams.\nSenior Errek Suhr, a member of the men's basketball team, has run the race every year he's been at IU. His sister Jenny -- an IU student at the time -- died of cancer in 1999.\n"It's great to see how much support we get, seeing people come out and support our family and Jenny's memory," Suhr said. "There have been so many people affected by cancer, and it's a great feeling to see all these people come out and try to make a difference."\nSibbitt said she has seen the annual race go from just a few hundred runners to one of the largest footraces in Southern Indiana.\nSophomore Dave Ariel, who will participate in the race for the first time Saturday, said the event is a great way to exercise while supporting a good cause. \n"Any time you have an opportunity to do something you like doing while helping people out, it's great," said Ariel, who is training for the Little 50 race in April.\nAriel said one of his best family friends, who was almost like a grandfather to him, died of brain cancer several years ago. Ariel said he can't think of a better way to honor him than to contribute to an event like Hoosiers Outrun Cancer.\nSibbitt encouraged anyone who is interested to come to the race. Registration for all events will still be open until half an hour before race time.