NAVARRE BEACH —Decked out in a purple sparkly tutu and small plastic crown, Brenda Whidden danced a little bit as she looked over the crowd before the American Cancer Society’s Man Up for a Cure 5K/10K.
“It’s so emotional,” Whidden said. “It’s such a blessing.”
It’s wonderful that people give their time and money to attend events like the one Saturday, said Whidden, a nine-time cancer survivor and the event chairwoman for the Relay for Life of Navarre.
“You’re showing the people who have cancer that it’s OK to hope,” Whidden said. “Because there are amazing people and organizations out there that want to help.”
More than 150 runners and walkers arrived at Gulf Boulevard to take part. The event raised money for the Relay for Life of Navarre, which benefits the American Cancer Society.
Some of the participants donned fake moustaches and wore blue in honor of those with prostate cancer.
Brenda Hamamura, the American Cancer Society’s community representative for Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, said organizers wanted to do something different instead of the more popular pink for breast cancer. Since September is Prostate Cancer Awareness month, it was perfect for the race.
“We’re celebrating the men,” Hamamura said.
At the finish line, each participant passed under a large sign that read, “There is no finish line until we find a cure.”
Saturday’s race was Sarah Turner’s first 5K. She and her husband, Andrew, exercised three or four times a week to prepare.
The excuse to get in shape and support a great cause was a double motivation, Turner said.
“It’s a good reason to run,” she said.
