Gators will join the fight against breast cancer with Gainesville’s first race benefiting Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
Registration for the March 23 race is open and will close March 21.
Two groups, UF’s American Medical Student Association chapter and Florida Blue Key, are coordinating the event.
The race is not affiliated with the foundation, but money raised will be donated to its North Florida affiliate, said North Florida Komen Executive Director Delores Wise. Organizers couldn’t host an official Race for the Cure because Alachua County doesn’t have a Komen affiliate.
Race co-director Elizabeth Ortega said organizers are hoping for 1,000 people.
“I had a dream of bringing Susan G. Komen to Gainesville because I noticed it wasn’t here,” the 20-year-old UF biology and psychology sophomore said.
The main event is $25 for UF and Sante Fe College students, $20 for participants 17 and under, and $30 for adults.
The 5K course will start on Flavet Field and circle around Lake Alice, she said.
Since the foundation drew criticism for temporarily cutting funding for Planned Parenthood, its spending habits have been criticized. But Ortega said students have responded well to the race.
Emily Hays, 19-year-old UF applied physiology and kinesiology sophomore, is participating in the Gainesville race with her mother, who’s been breast-cancer free for four years.
“Because it’s so well known, more people are more likely to donate and get involved,” she said.
[A version of this story ran on page 8 on 1/29/2014 under the headline "Student groups join race against breast cancer"]
