One of the Twin Cities' most popular 5K's will hit the streets of Edina next Sunday, April 19th. The Get Your Rear In Gear 5K Run/Walk offers a chip timed run, family friendly walk, and a kids' half mile fun run along the streets of Edina near Southdale Center. Kristin Tabor, president and founder of the Colon Cancer Coalition which organizes the annual event, expects well over 4000 participants this year. "This was and always has been a collaborative effort on behalf of people who care about people," says Tabor. This popular event is presented in cities across the country but had it's inaugural run at Lake Harriet five years ago. It was the largest first time 5K in the state of Minnesota with over 1,200 participants at the first race. Since that time, the event has moved to Southdale to accommodate larger crowds.
Many who participate in the Get Your Rear In Gear events, run or walk in honor of a friend or loved one who has been affected by colon cancer. Their stories are both heart wrenching and uplifting. There is the story of a twenty-three year-old athlete diagnosed with late stage colon cancer who succumbed to the disease, and the story of 54 year-old husband whose colonoscopy caught the disease in the early stages allowing for his survival. The overriding theme is that there is no typical face of the disease and that preventative screening procedures save lives.
I have been involved with the event since it's inception, but this year I will be running in honor of Fran Syverson, a friend who was diagnosed in her late forties and battled the disease for nearly three years. I attended her funeral last week. In Fran's last weeks she continued to remind her friends to be diligent about getting their colonoscopies and to be their own medical advocates, asking for a second opinion or advice when needed. Fran's team, Frannie's Fannies, will include nearly 100 friends and family members who miss her dearly and are devoted to the education and awareness efforts of the Colon Cancer Coalition.
Online race registration is available until Wednesday April 15. You may also register in person at Southdale Center on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday (click here for more times and location) or on race day when registration begins at 7am.
See Chris Freytag talk about the race on Kare 11 at Kare11.com
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