Komen Pittsburgh Race for the Cure goes virtual this year

Thousands of Komen Pittsburgh Race for the Cure participants may not be gathering in Schenley Park this year, but event organizers are not letting that stop their mission.

The race, which typically draws 15,000 people to the Flagstaff Hill section of the park, will celebrate its 28th year virtually, said Kathy Purcell, CEO of Komen Greater Pennsylvania.

“We will continue to celebrate the race that this region has come to know and love,” Purcell said. “Participants will have the opportunity to safely race when and where they feel most comfortable, knowing that their actions honor and support their friends, family members, colleagues and neighbors who have been affected by breast cancer.”

The race is scheduled for Sept. 13. It was originally slated for May 10, but event organizers postponed the event in March after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released recommendations regarding the coronavirus pandemic.

A virtual ceremony will kick off this year’s event, which can be viewed on social media sites. Events are scheduled for two weeks following that date, including daily contests, prize giveaways, educational Mission Moments and survivor stories. Participants are encouraged to share stories, photos and short video clips from their virtual races.

Runners can submit screenshots of their mileage and corresponding times to mdluhos@komengreaterpa.org for online race results. Those participating are able to walk or run wherever they are comfortable, whether its in their neighborhood or on a treadmill.

“It’s important to hold the race because, even with covid and everything going on in the world, breast cancer hasn’t gone away,” said Meg Dluhos, the event’s development director. “Every day women and men continue to (be diagnosed) and go through treatment and it’s important now as much as ever that we do all we can to support them and our community programs,” Meg Dluhos, development director, said.

She said about 2,000 participants already have registered for the event.

So far, more than $39,500 has been raised toward a $100,000 goal, according to the Susan G. Komen website. The top team so far has raised more than $4,000.

More than 276,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in women this year, along with more than 2,600 cases in men. Invasive breast cancer is the most common type, according to the American Cancer Society, with every eight out of 10 invasive breast cancer diagnoses being invasive ductal carcinomas, which starts in cells lining milk ducts in the breast. Another one out of 10 diagnoses comes from invasive lobular carcinoma, which starts in milk-producing glands. Someone dies from the disease every 74 seconds.

Those interested in participating in the event can register at komengreaterpennsylvania.org. Detailed race information can be found by downloading the SGK Race for the Cure app.

“Our ability to carry out our mission is directly related to the funds we raise through the race,” said Purcell. “That’s why it’s imperative that the race go on, albeit virtually. People throughout Pennsylvania are depending on us. It truly can be a matter of life and death.”

Dluhos added, “No matter where you live, you can support the Pittsburgh Race for the Cure. It will be a way to bring so many different communities together for one cause.”