Flagler's Pink Army 5K beckons veterans, new recruits

Flagler County will paint the town pink on Sunday with the return of the Pink Army 5K race at AdventHealth Palm Coast.

The annual event, part of national Breast Cancer Awareness Month, raises money for breast cancer awareness, education and screenings.

[READ MORE: More than 800 runners get early start at 2018 Pink Army 5K]

For Helga van Eckert, chair of the Pink Army 5K committee, the event hits home.

"It's a personal thing to me," she said. "Most people know I lost my mother to breast cancer and I have a lot of friends that have dealt with it or are dealing with it."

Van Eckert said the Pink Army 5K is a way to get exercise and be part of a community event while helping to provide diagnostic services for people who otherwise might not be able to afford them.

"Giving back to the community is incumbent on all of us, no matter how busy we are," she said. "I'll be running. I many not be running fast, but I will be running."

In addition to the 5K race, there is a one-mile pet friendly walk. Dog lovers are encouraged to "Pink Out their Pups" to get in the spirit of the event. A Kids Fun Run also is planned.

[SEE ALSO: Flagler Warriors 5K raises $5,654 for families coping with childhood cancer]

John Subers, exective director of the AdventHealth Palm Coast Foundation, said funds raised during the Pink Army 5K go "right back to Flagler County" providing needed services and testing. "But it also brings the community together," he said.

"It's not only the people we touch in the community, but the energy it creates," Subers said. "The community feel of 1,000 to 1,500 people out in front of the hospital on a Sunday morning early is a lot of fun."

Awards will be given to overall first-place men and women runners as well as medals for first-, second- and third-place runners in 17 age groups. In addition, one team of runners will be recognized for the most enthusiasm and participation during an awards ceremony following the race.

Water stations will be available along the race route.

The event continues to grow every year and Subers said that is due to the hard work of the Pink Army 5K commmittee, headed by van Eckert, and the response from community organizations and businesses.

"I give the credit for growing the event to our committee, who are always bringing in new segments of the community that want to get involved," he said. "There are a lot of businesses that are involved."

Event partners include the city of Palm Coast, the Flagler County Sherifff's Office, United Way Women United Flagler Chapter, Palm Coast & the Flagler Beaches, Flagler Humane Society, Flagler County Economic Opportunity Advisory Council and Flagler Schools.

"The school district is a big partner with us and part of that is we want to encourage youth with exercising, which is why we have a very low registration fee for them," he said.

Entry fees are $30 online and in-person registration through Saturday and can be made at palmcoastgov.com/pinkarmy5k or at the Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Parkway NE. Registration is $35 the day of the race. Registration fees for the one-mile fun walk is $25 and the fee for students through grade 12 is $10.

For more information, contact Palm Coast Parks & Recreation at 386-986-2323.

___

(c)2019 The News-Journal, Daytona Beach, Fla.

Visit The News-Journal, Daytona Beach, Fla. at www.news-journalonline.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.