HOW THE RACE 4 RESEARCH STARTED

Michele Plachy-Rubin was a young wife,  mother, and kindergarten teacher in the Denver Public Schools when she was diagnosed with brain cancer in December of 1996. The Race 4 Research was conceived in 1997 by Michele’s friends to raise money to  fund local cancer research. Michele was able to walk the race with her  young son that year. Tragically, Michele lost her fight with cancer in May of 1998, but her legacy lives on. Cancer League of Colorado, a non-profit organization, now operates the Race 4 Research, providing everyone the opportunity to help fight cancer in Michele’s memory.

While the race honors Michele, her mother Sondra was diagnosed with the same type of brain cancer years later, though it was not genetically related.  Sondra received treatment thanks to advances in cancer research since Michele’s passing.  “What is amazing to me is that many of the drugs that helped me were not even available to Michele 15 years ago,” Sondra said. “They were in trial. Drugs have changed, treatments have changed, and technologies have changed because of research. I never dreamed how important this race would be to me personally.”  Sadly, Sondra lost her battle with cancer in September 2022. She firmly believed that the advancements in cancer research funded by groups like Cancer League of Colorado extended her life by a decade.  She was the 2023 Race 4 Research Honoree.

This all-volunteer charity has raised and awarded $26 million for cancer research and cancer-related services in Colorado since 1969.

WHO BENEFITS

Cancer League of Colorado

Cancer touches everyone. Innovative treatments and approaches to cure or control cancer benefit us all. Funds from the Race 4 Research go directly to cancer research right here in Colorado. For example, Race 4 Research has funded research on pediatric brain tumors and  preliminary work in cancer vaccinations.

Cancer League of Colorado was founded  in 1969 by five women whose lives were affected by cancer.  From their  individual struggles grew a joint commitment to raise money for  innovative cancer research and patient care within the state. This  all-volunteer charity organization became Cancer League of Colorado.  Since 1985, Cancer League has awarded over $10 million in grants to  cancer researchers and cancer patient service organizations.

WHO PARTICIPATES

Participants have ranged in age from  one to eighty-one and have included doctors, nurses, teachers, families,  runners, and walkers of all abilities, as well as Michele’s friends and  family. Everyone is welcome! The race typically attracts more than  1,000 walkers and runners, about 100 volunteers, and hundreds of other  supporters.

The race features a festive,  family-friendly post-race Expo. There’s a free pancake breakfast, a free beer garden, music by a popular DJ, a Kid Zone, clowns and games, and sponsor and vendor booths with give-aways.

The Race 4 Research is open to  well-behaved dogs on leashes. Dog water is available at the on-course  water stations and in the post-race Expo.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Here are some ways to increase your support for cancer research:

– First, register for the race! Links to the Race 4 Research registration site will be available a few months  in advance of race day. Participants may also register in person the  morning of the race.

– Start a team and sign up as many friends and family as you can.

– Take the challenge and set up a fundraising page when you register. You can raise funds as a team or individually and win prizes.

– Donate and make a difference!

– Honor someone’s battle with cancer with a poster on the Race 4 Research Miracle Mile. Raise at least $150 in donations to qualify for a poster for your loved one. More information is available on the Fundraising page.

– Tell all your friends and post on your social media accounts!

RACE AWARDS

– Team Awards: Team awards will be announced at the post-race Expo!

– Fundraising Awards: The Top Team and Individual Fundraisers will be announced at the post-race Expo!

– Performance Awards: The top male and top female finishers will receive a prize at the post-race Expo! The top male and female finisher for the 5K run in each of the age categories will be announced at the post-race Expo!