undreds flocked to Sid Jacobson Jewish Community Center’s 10th annual Stronger Than Cancer 5K and Kids Color Fun Run on Sunday, May 22, to put their best foot forward in the fight against cancer.
More than 230 attendees ran and walked as part of the race event, while more than 70 children and their families participated in the Kids Color Fun Run. The annual event supports the Nancy Marx Cancer Wellness Center which helps cancer survivors, patients and their families become stronger than cancer by providing holistic care including exercise, education, workshops and additional supportive services for participants and their families.
Despite the overcast morning, Sid Jacobson JCC Personal Training Director Adrian Sadowski, who spearheads the event, noted that there was a palpable energy among attendees throughout the course of the day.
Due to inclement weather, the Kids Color Fun Run changed course and was turned into an indoor obstacle course. Children ages 12 and under excitedly participated in climbing, balance beam, jumping and basketball shooting exercises. Afterward, the kids partook in a “color wars” event, decorating themselves and each other with a rainbow of colors.
In what made for a special highlight, Sid Jacobson JCC partnered with Medals4Mettle (M4M), a non-profit organization that facilitates the gifting of marathon, half marathon and triathlon finishers’ medals. A total of 54 medals were collected at the 5K event, all of which will be donated by M4M to children undergoing cancer treatment at Stony Brook Medicine. Sid Jacobson JCC will continue to accept medals moving forward to support the cause.
For the big 5K race, all runners and walkers participated in great spirits to support a worthwhile cause. This year, Elmont resident Ian Feurtado, 26, earned top overall male, while Manhasset resident Samantha Derasse, 14, earned top overall female, in the race.