Komen Houston Race for the Cure

The Komen Houston Race for the Cure®, Saturday, October 1, is the largest 5K (3.1 mile) event in Houston with an estimated 28,000 registrants this year. This special event is a powerful vehicle for spreading the life-saving message of early detection and heightening awareness of breast cancer. The Race will include a co-ed competitive 5K Run, a co-ed 5K run/walk and a “Kid’s K.”

The 2005 Race will take place downtown. Runners will take their mark on LaBranch near McKinney and run/walk down to the George R. Brown Convention Center. The Post-Race party site will be inside the Convention Center. Special events are being planned that will make the entire event a festival for all to enjoy.

“Girl Scouts for a Cure” patch
Available in the Girl Scout shop, this special patch was designed by GSSJC to recognize Girl Scouts who participate in any health awareness events like the Komen Houston Race for the Cure®. The patch has an empty space in the center where the girls can place a ribbon/pin from the specific event in which they participated.

How Girl Scouts can participate:
1) Cheer along the Race course! We need you to help cheer for the runners and walkers! Your enthusiasm will add to the excitement and festive atmosphere! Wear your uniforms, troop T-shirts or dress in pink. Bring “props” to help encourage people to the finish line such as pom-poms or paint signs and banners to wave as the runners go by. Come see the hundreds of pink T-shirts and caps worn by breast cancer survivors as they walk and run – an inspirational sight! Free Pink Pom Poms to the first 300 Girl Scouts to arrive to cheer!
Arrive early, by 6:30 a.m. to park, get your pom pom and stake out a spot on the Race course to cheer. Pick up your pom pom near the starting line.

2) Run or walk as an individual! Even though Girl Scouts cannot raise money for other organizations, you and your troop members can register for the Race and participate as individuals. There is something for everyone! Choose from the co-ed Competitive 5K Run (with recognition by age category), the coed 5K Run/Walk or Kid’s K run/walk. Check your Brownie try-it, Junior badge or Cadette-Senior interest project book to find out how you can apply participation in the Race toward fulfilling requirements. Online registration is available at www.komen-houston.org starting in early July. Registration forms will be available in the lobby of the Girl Scout office.

3) Volunteer! Many people have been touched by this disease either through their own personal experience or through a loved one or friend. By volunteering, you can help make a difference in the fight against breast cancer!

Your time spent volunteering can be counted as service hours. For information on adult volunteer opportunities, please send an e-mail to Kelley Turner, volunteer coordinator at komenvolunteers@pdq.net or call her at 713-522-2831. For any Girl Scout troops to get involved, please contact Martha Barnes, Girl Scout Coordinator at 713-296-3008,or mcbarnes@marathonoil.com