5K raises breast cancer awareness

Main Street Gardnerville is Painting the Town Pink with a 5k run for Breast Cancer Awareness Month Saturday at Heritage Park.

The 5k kicks off at 8 a.m. through Martin Slough.

Main Street Gardnerville Director Jen Tune ssaid the run is in lieu of the October Third Thursday Wine Walk, part of the Paint The Town Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign, and the third and final run in Main Street Gardnerville’s “We Run This Town” 5k series.

Main Street Gardnerville hosts the Fourth of July Freedom 5K run and added the Paint the Town Pink and the Carson Valley Days Classic 5k runs this year making up the series.

“We created the “We Run This Town” series this year to engage our community in fun activities, showcasing the incredible Martin Slough and promoting walkability and an effort for those who may not participate in the wine walks because of lifestyle,” said Tune. “Plus, exercise gives you endorphins, endorphins make you happy, and we love happy people.”

Tune said the Carson Valley Days Classic was previously hosted by Tahoe Youth and Family, but stopped around the same time as the Coronavirus, and Main Street Gardnerville asked if they could take over.

The Paint the Town Pink run is participant-friendly for all ages, skill, and ability levels, even for four-legged runners.

“We highly encourage participants to dress in pink to support our friends and family affected by the disease,” said Tune.

Tune said participants who completed all three races in the series will earn a limited edition, “I Run This Town” T-shirt.

Key sponsors and proud sponsors, Carson Valley Health and Carson Tahoe Health will be at the event with information and resources, and some fundraising raffles and prizes.

“This is a fundraising event for both Main Street Gardnerville and our partners in health,” said Tune. “$5 from every registration and 100 percent of the additional donations benefit the cancer treatment centers at Carson Valley Health and Carson Tahoe Hospital.”

Registration for the Paint the Town Pink 5K can be done at https://runsignup.com/Race/NV/Gardnerville/PaintitPink and visit www.mainstreetgardnerville.org/annualevents for more information.

Tune said other sponsorships are encourage for the Paint the Town Pink Flower Bowl project.

The Flower Bowl project has been place along Main Street and can be sponsored by the community with 75 percent of the funds donated to local cancer treatment centers. Visit www.Mainstreetgardnerville.org for more information about the Pink Flower bowl sponsorship.