Outpace Cancer Race Allows Participants to Honor Loved Ones in Fight Against Cancer

The OU Health campus in Oklahoma City will soon welcome more than a thousand runners and volunteers from across the state who will participate in the Stephenson Cancer Center’s Outpace Cancer Race. The race, which includes 10K and 5K events as well as a one-mile walk, will take place on Sunday, Oct. 6, beginning at 8 a.m.

The fundraiser will benefit cancer research and patient services at Stephenson Cancer Center, ranked in the Top 50 in the nation for cancer care by U.S. News & World Report, and the only National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Center in Oklahoma. very dollar raised stays in Oklahoma to fight cancer in our state.

Participants have the option of registering as a team. The team can choose to raise funds for a particular cancer type in honor of a runner or a loved one. Teams may also choose to support cancer clinical trials, specifically, or the greatest needs at Stephenson Cancer Center.

The race will begin and end at the Stephenson Cancer Center, 800 NE 10th St., winding across the OU Health campus and nearby neighborhoods, including Lincoln Terrace. The 10K/5K routes are certified by USA Track and Field.

Several activities will be available for those recognizing loved ones or just wanting to offer encouragement to cancer patients and survivors. These activities include:

• A special bell will be placed after the finish line for participants to ring once they finish the race, as a nod to a symbolic cancer treatment moment. For patients with cancer and their healthcare team, the “ringing of the bell” is a point in time that signals the end of active treatment and the beginning of a life free of cancer.
• Participants will have the option to post their bib on a wall, and will be encouraged to write “Why I Outpace” on the back of the bib with any special messages they want to leave.
• If participants would like to keep their bib, they can fill out a “Why I Outpace” notecard to be featured on the bib wall.

All are welcome and encouraged to participate in this family-friendly event, which also includes a post-race block party complete with food trucks (PLP, Blue J’s Rolling Grill, Kona Ice and 84 Hospitality), live music from Red Club (membership made up entirely of cancer survivors) and kid-friendly activities. KFOR-TV’s Ali Meyer will be the official race emcee.

Registration is open now with a price increase on September 28.

Race packets will not be mailed and will not be available for pick-up on race day. Packet Pick-Ups will be held from 4 to 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 3, at Red Coyote – Classen Curve, 5720 North Classen Blvd., and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, Oct. 4, at Stephenson Cancer Center, Lobby/Living Room, 800 NE 10th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73104.

Not a runner, or out of town that weekend? Support the race by signing up as a virtual runner. Registration, race routes and more information, including volunteer opportunities can be found at outpacecancer.com

Genentech and the Stephenson Family Foundation are the Outpace Cancer Race event’s top sponsors for 2019.