Pounding the pavement takes on a new meaning this weekend.
Thousands of walkers and their teams, with names such as Keep-A-Breast, Strutters for Udders and Walking on Sunshine, will take a 60-mile trek Friday, Nov. 10, through Sunday, Nov. 12, in the San Diego Breast Cancer 3-Day to benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
With approximately 4,200 walkers last year and more anticipated this time, the San Diego event attracts more participants than any of the other 11 host cities, and that says a lot about the community, according to Sarah Richardson, 3-Day representative. The other 3-Day destinations “” including Boston, Mass.; Tampa Bay, Fla.; and Seattle, Wash. “” average 2,000 participants.
People from all walks of life join the effort, from age 17 to 86. Of the 4,200 participants, 450 are female survivors and 46 are male survivors of the disease. In order to participate, walkers must train, dedicate three days to the event and raise a minimum of $2,200. Last year, San Diego walkers raised $10.3 million, according to Emily Callahan, public relations manager for the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
But the statistics tell only part of the story. Walkers begin the 3-Day at the Del Mar Fairgrounds at 6:30 a.m. and spend the better part of the day completing 20 miles. While the route is kept confidential for safety reasons, participants will be making their way through the beach communities.
In addition to support at several designated cheering stations and pit stops every few miles, walkers can rely on approximately 400 volunteer crew members. The crew provides assistance from traffic control to food preparation to medical treatment for everything from blisters to dehydration.
Judy Slack of Escondido will be driving a sweep van, “Bahama Mama,” to give tired or injured walkers some pink M&Ms and a ride to the next station.
“It’s not a race; it’s totally endurance,” she said.
Now a one-year breast cancer survivor, Slack walked in last year’s event, raising a collective $30,000 with her eight team members. Slack said she was moved by the camaraderie and the sacrifice.
“All these perfect strangers “” and half have probably never been touched by breast cancer “” still want to do something to help. Their feet will hurt, and their legs will hurt, but they just give and give and give.”
On Saturday, Friends and community members can welcome 3-Day walkers to the 8.8-mile marker in Ocean Beach at the Surf Spot Park, 1900 Abbott St., from 10 a.m. to noon.
Petco Park marks the walk’s final destination on Sunday, with closing ceremonies at 4:30 p.m. Proceeds benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation, begun in 1982 on a promise made between two sisters, Nancy Goodman Brinker, and her dying sister, Susan Goodman Komen. Its four-fold mission is research, education, screening and treatment. The foundation receives 85 percent of the net proceeds from the 3-Day walks; the other 15 percent is donated to the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund for research, treatment and education.
For more information, visit www.the3day.org or www.komen.org.