Rochester Get Your Rear in Gear 5K Run/Walk

Rochester makes their Event a fest

The 2nd annual Rochester Get Your Rear in Gear 5K Run and Walk and Children’s Fun Run saw a great jump in participants and fundraising from it’s 2009 inaugural outing. Last March we ran in frigid cold; this year, we dodged a bullet – and some pretty nasty looking lightning and heavy rain to host just over 235 participants. Those hearty participants helped to raise over $4,000 dollars to fight colorectal cancer in the Rochester area.

The Colon Cancer Coalition was proud to be part of this year’s Rochesterfest celebration. It certainly helped get the word out about this important awareness event. We had some spectacular runners – congratulations to our top overall female and male finishers, Christy Marvin and Chris Root, who finished in 18:13 and 19:07 respectively.

Thanks to the Teams that joined in on the fun this year. Honors for best t-shirt went to the Team walking in Memory of Les Johnson, who lost his battle to colon cancer this past January. The largest registered team of 25 plus members was Team Gerhardt, lead by Team Captain Gary Lovelace.

Our top fundraising team truly went above and beyond. Team Sar!ah raised over $3,200 dollars at a very special fundraiser held at the R!ah Salon on the Friday night before the 5K. Friends, family and customers enjoyed wonderful food, drink and scrumptious homemade chocolates while entering to win wonderful gifts and prizes. Team Sar!ah were the friends of Sara Nyberg, who continues her fight against colon cancer and was nothing but smiles Friday night and all through the walk on Saturday.

Many thanks to our generous sponsors, Culligan, Great Harvest, Rochester Produce, Caribou Coffee, radio stations the Fan, the Fox and Laser 107, who also provided the music to move our feet to. A special thanks to our volunteers and especially to local Event Chair, Marcia Marcoux, Peg Arnold from the Running Room and Carole Brown from Rochesterfest for all their help, support and guidance.