5K raises money for cancer research

More than 5,000 runners, walkers and volunteers gathered outside of Memorial Stadium on Saturday for the 10th annual Hoosiers Outrun Cancer.

Hoosiers Outrun Cancer is the primary funding source for the Bloomington Hospital Olcott Center for Cancer Education.

The event raised more than $1.3 million in its first nine years of its existence and exceeded its 2009 goal of $180,000 on pre-registrations alone, race co-founder and committee member Dorothy Ellis said.

For many, the race is as much about the experience as it is about the funds that are raised.

“I’ve already cried three times,” said Sylvia McNair, cancer survivor and Jacobs School of Music faculty member. “It’s all very inspiring.”

McNair, who is also a two-time Grammy Award winner, sang the national anthem to open Saturday’s ceremonies.

Joan Olcott, who founded the Olcott Center with her husband Lloyd, said in her speech to the crowd that the center is truly a dream come true.

“It’s just awesome because I realize all the people touched by cancer,” Olcott said. “It’s so humbling that all these people are helped by this free facility.”

Signs and T-shirts with names and pictures of loved ones lost to cancer dominated the crowd that gathered outside of the west side of the stadium before the races.

Olcott Center manager Janis Ross said it was amazing to see the community come together and to see neighbors helping neighbors.

“This event is the inspiration to go on and work another year,” she said. “Everything we do is free because of this event.”

The race, which began in 2000 with 2,500 participants, has  doubled in size in just a decade and features a 5K run, 5K walk, one-mile kids run and a one-mile family fun walk.

The route for the 5K run and walk, which began and ended at Memorial Stadium, caused traffic to be stopped periodically during morning hours on 10th Street, 17th Street, Fee Lane and Jordan Avenue while participants made their way along the course.

The course is also sanctioned by the Indiana USA Track and Field Association.
Sorority Alpha Chi Omega won the award for the largest greek team, and Kelley Runs for Walt won the award for largest IU team. Kelley Runs for Walt was organized to honor former Kelley School of Business professor Walt Blacconiere, who passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2007.

“Our event is established to honor cancer survivors and those who lost their lives to cancer, but having a sanctioned course helps attract serious runners,” Ellis said.