Thirteen thousand people are expected to race for the cure in Rogers on Saturday, and organizers say it isn't easy prepare to put that many people in one place.
Northwest Arkansas' fourteenth annual Komen Race for the Cure kicks off early Saturday morning, and organizers are rushing to get things ready.
"It's a busy busy day," says Alison Levin, the executive director of the Ozark affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. "We have breast cancer survivors helping people that are coming in to pick up their packets or register for the race."
The race is the biggest fund raising and education event of the year for the nonprofit's fight against breast cancer,
"Thirteen thousand is going to pay for a lot of mammograms," says Levin.
Last year's race brought in nearly one million dollars, but the cash doesn't come easy. Levin says it takes an entire year to prepare.
"When you're planning it is just so overwhelming to have an event this large," she says.
Officer Keith Foster says the Rogers Police Department works closely with organizers to keep the participants safe.
"We bring in some extra people, get some extra eyes out there," he says.
The department works with fire crews and the Benton County Department of Emergency Management to work out street closures and detours for the morning of the race.
"If everything goes off smoothly you don't even know that we're there," he says.
You may not notice the police presence, but Levin says it's impossible to miss the show of support.
"When you stand there and you watch that sea of pink it's incredible," she says.
Northwest Arkansas' fourteenth annual Komen Race for the Cure kicks off early Saturday morning, and organizers are rushing to get things ready.
"It's a busy busy day," says Alison Levin, the executive director of the Ozark affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. "We have breast cancer survivors helping people that are coming in to pick up their packets or register for the race."
The race is the biggest fund raising and education event of the year for the nonprofit's fight against breast cancer,
"Thirteen thousand is going to pay for a lot of mammograms," says Levin.
Last year's race brought in nearly one million dollars, but the cash doesn't come easy. Levin says it takes an entire year to prepare.
"When you're planning it is just so overwhelming to have an event this large," she says.
Officer Keith Foster says the Rogers Police Department works closely with organizers to keep the participants safe.
"We bring in some extra people, get some extra eyes out there," he says.
The department works with fire crews and the Benton County Department of Emergency Management to work out street closures and detours for the morning of the race.
"If everything goes off smoothly you don't even know that we're there," he says.
You may not notice the police presence, but Levin says it's impossible to miss the show of support.
"When you stand there and you watch that sea of pink it's incredible," she says.
