The Lincoln Marathon and Half-Marathon, one of Project Purple’s premier running partner events, is about to become even bigger and better by adding the new ‘Project Purple Steps for a Cure’ walk. The demand for a spot on Project Purple’s Lincoln team has grown exponentially over the years. However, we recognize that not everyone is able or even wants to run 13.1 or 26.2 miles. By adding the new 2.4 and 1 mile walks, we are creating an exciting new event for all people who want to help us end pancreatic cancer!
Project Purple and the Lincoln Marathon
Each year, the Project Purple Marathon & Half-Marathon teams have grown larger and larger. Last year we had over 100 people running with our team and we plan to expand upon that in 2017. We have an amazing group of runners from all over the country who come out for this spectacular event, often bringing their entire families along with them.
A Family-Friendly Event for All
In years past, family members who were not up to running a long-distance race often supported the cause by cheering on the team at designated ‘Cheer Zones’. While the runners appreciate the support, we knew we could directly involve those who are not runners but who want to help raise money to end pancreatic cancer. Enter the Project Purple’s Steps for a Cure. The 2.4 and 1 mile walks are the brain child of Executive Director Elli Erickson. She explains, “We meet a lot of families who want to be involved in some way, but they aren’t runners. Prior to this walk, all we could have them do was volunteer for the team or work at the Marathon Expo.”
Elli believes the walk is a great way to get the community and our Project Purple families directly involved in Marathon weekend. She reached out to the Lincoln Marathon Board of Directors and they were as supportive of the new walk as they have been of the marathon charity team. Though Steps for a Cure is not a Lincoln Track Club event, they will be providing a link to the walk registration site.
Steps for a Cure Walk
Held on Saturday, May 6th, 2017 at 1 pm in scenic Holmes Park in Lincoln, Nebraska, there are options to register as an individual or as a team. Online registration is open now and race-day registration will open at noon on the day of the walk.
Project Purple Funds Nebraska MEDICINE Research
The money raised from the event will go to the Project Purple Jayne Snyder Fellowship Grant for Pancreatic Cancer Research. Last year, this grant was able to fund a research fellow at Nebraska Medicine’s Pancreatic Research Center run by the esteemed Dr. Hollingsworth. Project Purple has long partnered with Nebraska Medicine and Dr. Hollingsworth, and that partnership has reaped tremendous rewards.
Last year, Project Purple and the Lincoln Track Club provided a $52,000 grant to Nebraska Medicine. Based upon initial findings of Dr. Hollingsworth’s research, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) awarded a $500,000 to Nebraska Medicine. “The program that Nebraska Medicine is working on shows so much promise,” Elli explains. “We hope to fund two or three researchers this year.”
A Community Event For All
Project Purple recognizes how amazingly supportive the Lincoln community has been of our fundraising efforts in the past. We hope that this new opportunity will continue to build and grow our relationship with the generous people of Nebraska. Elli adds, “We are hoping thousands of people will come out to support the walk event. We will have food vendors and events for kids. We want to celebrate all of those who are fighting and those who have lost their battles with pancreatic cancer.”
The Lincoln Marathon Race weekend is already a premiere event in Nebraska. Project Purple is looking forward to adding to the festive and fun atmosphere with ‘Steps for a Cure’. We are currently still recruiting runners for the Lincoln Marathon and Half-Marathon teams, and as Elli says, “Runners can come out with their families and walk on Saturday then run their long distance races on Sunday.” ‘Steps for a Cure’ is open to anyone who wants to help Project Purple create a world without pancreatic cancer.
To Register for ‘Steps for a Cure’, follow this link:
For more information about the Project Purple Lincoln Marathon and Half-Marathon teams, click here:
http://www.run4projectpurple.org/event/2017-lincoln-marathon/
