As dawn broke on Saturday May 12th, preparation began in Century Park for the More than Aware (MTA) 2k and 5k Family Fun Run and Walk. This annual event champions and celebrates the proactive prevention of and recovery from breast cancer.
Each participant made a wellness goal, which was written on the back of their race shirts in an area entitled “What’s your green?” Lucy said, “My goal this year is to drink more water and eat more veggies,” Stephanie pledged, “More time with my family,” Francesca wrote her goal: “Breastfeeding as long as I could,” and Vini’s green is “Love, Laugh, Live.” The green addition to the traditional pink ribbon symbolizes taking awareness into action.
By 8 am Century Park was a vision of Pink and Green as over 3,000 runners and walkers of all nationalities, ages and genders assembled for the opening ceremony and the start of the race. There was excitement in the air and the spectacle of creative pink and green costumes was a sight to experience. It was truly moving to see everyone united in joy. Many of these fun costumes were worn in honor of loved ones.
Following an energetic warm-up provided by the Nike instructor, members of the Shanghai Cancer Recovery Center (SCRC) walked on stage and waved while they reminded us of what can be achieved through proactive prevention, wellness from within and sisterhood support. In the words of a Thriver from SCRC, “The SCRC partnership with MTA provides the platform needed to focus on the prevention and recovery of breast cancer. At the same time, it’s a sisterhood for all the loving hearts of the society.”
Next, MTA presented awards in several categories including largest team, most Pink and Green team, as well as several others. Finally, corporate teams and individual runners were ready for the dance off to Taylor Swifts’s ‘Shake-it Off.’
The 5k race began at 8:30 to the beat of ‘I run for life.’ The 2k commenced shortly thereafter. As the 3,000 runners and walkers embarked on their individual journeys around the park, reading everyone’s “green” goals and seeing the names of honored loved ones provided an incredibly inspirational experience. Sara, from Little Scholar Academy, said “At LSA we teach our children that they have the power to make choices that impact their health and happiness. The MTA fun run is a great way to bring our community together and to set an example of health, well-being, and giving for our young students!”
Children enjoyed a variety of stimulating activities including face painting, making cookies, colouring and making Mother’s Day cards.
From 8:50 there was a steady stream of runners and walkers crossing the finish line grateful for the fruits and water provided with a smile by MTA volunteers.
As the event drew to an end, Tarran Goodwin of the Kerry Hotel said, “Shangri-La Hotel and resorts is committed to its corporate social responsibility and encourages women to be proactive in the prevention of breast cancer. Thanks to More Than Aware to make the efforts on taking the awareness into action.”
Thanks to the community, it has been yet another fantastic event.
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