6th Annual Take the Lake 5k Walk/Run
to Benefit American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life
One person can make a difference. Nowhere is that more evident than with the story of the American Cancer Society Relay For Life, which began in Tacoma, Washington, as the City of Destiny Classic 24-Hour Run Against Cancer.
In the mid-1980s, Dr. Gordy Klatt, a colorectal surgeon from Tacoma, decided to personally raise money for his local American Cancer Society office by doing something he enjoyed – running marathons. In May 1985, Klatt spent a grueling 24 hours running 83 miles on the track at the University of Puget Sound’s Baker Stadium in Tacoma. He recruited friends to pay $25 each and run or walk 30 minutes with him. $27,000 was raised to fight cancer. Nearly 300 of Dr. Klatt’s friends, family, and patients watched as he ran and walked the course that first year.
As Klatt circled the track, he thought about how others could participate. He dreamed of a 24-hour team relay event to raise money to fight cancer. He formed a small committee to plan the first team relay event – the City of Destiny Classic 24-Hour Run Against Cancer. In 1986, 19 teams participated in the first team relay event on the track and raised $33,000. Today, Relay for Life events occur throughout the world, raising millions of dollars for the American Cancer Society and its many research programs and local outreaches.
On Saturday, April 25th, the 6th Annual Take the Lake 5k Walk/Run will be held at DamSite park near Heber Springs, Arkansas. This race is held in conjunction with Spring-Fest, a local event sponsored by the Heber Springs Chamber of Commerce, and it benefits the local American Cancer Society Relay for Life. ”All of the money raised from this event will stay in Arkansas and will help to provide funding for research for all types of cancers and benefit other programs such as ‘Look Good, Feel Good.’” says race spokesperson Cynthia Kasbohm. “The actual Relay For Life for Cleburne County will take place on September 18th, starting at 6:00 p.m.”
The race begins at 5:00 p.m., at the John F. Kennedy overlook, located north of Heber Springs, and proceeds across Greers Ferry Dam, then winds through Dam Site Park. “This is a beautiful course with awesome views of the lake in a family-friendly atmosphere,” Kasbohm notes, adding… “All age groups are invited to participate.”
The race is open to men and women in both running and walking categories. Prizes will be awarded, with the overall male and female winners each netting $100. Registration is open now, and the fee for early entry is $20 per person through April 17th. To be guaranteed a T-shirt, participants should register by April 17th. After this date, the entry fee will be $25 per person. Race participants can register online at www.arkansasrunner.com/misc/entries/lakeentry.htm
Race day registration and runner’s packets may be picked up between 1:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., at Dam Site Park in Heber Springs, where race participants are to assemble. Buses will shuttle the participants to JFK Overlook beginning at 3:45 p.m., and the last bus will leave Dam Site Park at 4:45 p.m. For more information, visit the Take the Lake blog at http://takethelake5k.blogspot.com, or call Cynthia Kasbohm at 501-206-5498, or e-mail CKasbohm@suddenlink.net.
