Article Contributed on: 6/29/2009 4:00:49 PM
Boxers or briefs? There were plenty of both on hand at the inaugural Denver Undy 5000 June 27 at City Park. The Colon Cancer Alliance hosted the "brief" 5k walk/run to raise awareness and funds for the fight against colorectal cancer.
The event raised approximately $100,000 total with $30,000 benefiting the
Colorado Colorectal Screening Program at the
University of Colorado Cancer Center. Approximately $70,000 benefited the Colon Cancer Alliance.
An estimated 1,024 runners and walkers wore anything from running shorts to their wildest pair of boxers as they took part in the 5K run and 1K fun run. Participants also received a commemorative pair of Undy 5000 boxers.
Toby Morton, former writer of South Park and MadTV, in conjunction with the Colorado Cancer Coalition, was on hand to debut creating a short educational video at the race. Also, the Brethren Fast, a local Denver band, performed after the race.
National sponsors included Salix Pharmaceuticals, Sanofi-aventis, Genentech, the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons,and MITA (Medical and Imaging Technology Alliance).
Local sponsors included the Rocky Mountain Gastroenterology Associates, Arapahoe Gastroenterology, Good Belly, Exempla Lutheran Hospital, Colorado Cancer Coalition, Prevent Cancer Foundation, 9 News and 850 KOA.
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, but it is preventable through early screening.
This important but fun event is being held in different cities across the country throughout the year to educate the public about colon cancer and early screenings.