2nd Annual Pink Dress Run: Racing to Save Second Base

The 2nd Annual Pink Dress Run is today, so throw on something pink, lace up your running shoes, and head down to Franklin Street for the second annual Pink Dress Run/Walk to benefit breast cancer research.

The race will start at 6 p.m. at D'Arcy McGee's Irish Pub, located at 257 Franklin Street.  Registration will begin at 4:30 p.m. and run until 5:30 p.m. at Darcy McGee's.  Registration fees will be $25, with all proceeds benefiting breast cancer research at Roswell Park Cancer Institute.  The first 300 runners to register will be given a t-shirt with the phrase "I helped save second base" printed on it.

The course will run for two miles up Franklin Street and Linwood Avenue, ending at Lafayette Avenue.   After the race, a shuttle will take the participants back to Darcy McGee's for a post-race party.  
   
"The Pink Dress Run isn't a pity party or a sob fest," said Kimberly Luangpakdy, one of the event's organizers.  "It's a ripper of a day to give every penny to a great cause that helps so many to celebrate life, friends, and to celebrate what really matters: making fun of the man running two miles next to you in a pink dress."

The 2009 Pink Dress Run rallied 203 runners and raised $3,500.  According to event organizer Kristin Gibney, pre-race registration has already doubled the number of participants and funds raised from last year.

 

"The whole experience has been really eye-opening," said Gibney, whose mother, Mary Ann, battled breast cancer and is now cancer-free. "It's easier to focus on the bigger picture now."  After last year's event, Gibney understood that she and her family were not alone. "There were so many people that were affected by cancer, she said.  "It makes you have a sense of family, knowing there are people who understand what you're going through and how life changing it is.  It's amazing to me how western New York is a big family."

This year's event is being sponsored by Anna Keeler Design, Ivend Marketing, PDM Studios, and Team Cure: A benefit for Roswell Park Cancer Institute.  Any individuals who can't make it to the Pink Dress Run who would like to make a contribution can visit www.buffalopinkdressrun.com and click on "donate now."  For any additional information, email pinkdressrun@gmail.com.