US RRT from Knoxville RRT Helps at Susan G Komen Race for the Cure

Saturday, October 22, 2016 was the date of the 20th Annual Susan G. Komen Knoxville Race for the Cure held at World’s Fair Park in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee. As remarked by Amy Dunaway, executive director of the Knoxville affiliate, “This special anniversary is a time to reflect back and celebrate all that we’ve accomplished in giving $7 million back to the local community.  We will also remember those we’ve lost, and resolve to work even harder during the next 20 years.”

RRT Holding the pink banner at the beginning of the race

This special anniversary brought more than 8,000 people to participate in the fundraising 5K race for breast cancer charity. Upon arriving at the volunteer check-in area, the first RRT volunteers were met with cheers of “RRT, RRT, we love you!” That was certainly worth getting up early for!

Race for the cure tents

Race for the cure tents

Cheering the on the Participants

This was Rapid Relief Team’s 2nd year as volunteers for the Knoxville Komen Race for the Cure. Our group of 25 volunteers were very eager to pitch in and assist any way we could. Race Day began with a Survivor’s Walk, a special ceremony to honor the survivors of breast cancer. This huge parade of survivors stretched from one end of the park to the other. Rapid Relief Team volunteers helped form the pink ribbon pathway to outline the route the survivors walked. Soon the RRT volunteers were asked to gather at the Race finish line to begin stacking cases of water bottles ready to distribute to the crowd soon to cross the finish line.

Handing out water at the finish line

Race organizers were also preparing the special race lane for the survivors, complete with tuxedo clad escorts and huge containers of beautiful pale pink roses to present to each one as they crossed the finish line. At 8:30 am the volunteers were notified to take their assigned places, some to direct the survivors to the special race lane, and others to hand out bottles of water. It took approximately 1½ hours for everyone to complete the race. Such brave courage shown by the survivors, and such love and support shown by all the other participants! There was much smiling, cheering and hugging at the finish line, and the Rapid Relief Team volunteers decided they had the best job of all!

Runner being cheered on as he reaches the final stretch

As with all good times like this, someone has to stay after and help clean up. Our young RRT volunteers began taking down tents and tables, folding table covers and packing it all into large trucks. Many hands made light work, and the site was clean and ready for the many families who would visit and enjoy the park before the day was through.

RRT Volunteers helping with Clean-up

 

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