We all run for different reasons. We run for exercise, competition, to get away from the world, or even to see the world. But sometimes, runners get together and run for the same reason. This past Saturday, about 3,400 women set aside their reasons for running and we ran together. Women of all ages gathered, dressed in all pink, to run against breast cancer.
In its 33rd year, the Charlottesville Women’s Four Miler continues a tradition of fundraising for research and breast cancer detection. The money raised goes to the UVA Cancer Center and works to make detection and care more accessible to everyone.
While a big part of the race is dedicated to fundraising to put a stop to breast cancer, that is not its only purpose. It is also a time of celebration. This is a celebration of survival, in which survivors come forth to share their triumph in the battle against breast cancer. However, others come to celebrate the lives of those whom were not so lucky. These loved ones are honored along the last mile of the race in a stretch that is known as the Motivational Mile. The Motivational Mile is lined with names and phrases that help commemorate the ones that have been lost to breast cancer.
While all of this is great and the cause is to encourage people to get involved, it is also a huge tradition for Charlottesville and definitely something I would recommend everyone to get involved with at least once during their time in college. There is a major emotional component as I am sure almost everyone has known someone with breast cancer or that has been affected by breast cancer in some way. However, it is also a ton of fun. It is a time for women to get together and celebrate while men are also welcome to come out and volunteer to hand out water, park cars, and cheer us ladies on. People from all over, line the race to watch and keep the runners motivated throughout. It is probably the most exciting thing you’ll experience at eight o’clock on a Saturday morning, ever. Runners of all levels are encouraged to come out and try it because regardless of your time, finishing those four miles is one of the greatest feelings in the world.
I personally didn’t finish with any noteworthy time but am anything but discouraged. While the competitive aspect of the race is great, that is not its complete purpose to me. To me, I find meaning in the tradition of women coming together, raising money in support of each other to hopefully put a stop to this disease. The act of Charlottesville as a whole teaming together to cheer each other on to not only finish this race against breast cancer, but win.
