Head Over Teal 5K/10K held this weekend

The Sixth Annual Head Over Teal 5K/10K took place at The Preserve this Saturday, Sept. 12.

Hundreds of racers gathered to raise money and awareness for ovarian and gynecologic cancer research.

Executive director Mary Anne King said the event helps with the Laura Crandall Brown Ovarian Cancer Foundation’s goals of spreading information and supporting research.

“This is what I would consider our signature event,” King said. “It’s deliberately placed in September, which is ovarian and gynecologic cancer awareness month, so it’s a great opportunity to really try to spread awareness and get information to people.”

More than 90,000 women are affected by gynecologic cancers, King said, and many who have ovarian cancer do not know until it is in a late stage. There are few early detection screenings for gynecologic cancers, King said, and the foundation works to raise money for research for early detection.

Prior to the race, foundation president Jim Crandall thanked the participants for their support. He read the names of individuals who died of ovarian or gynecologic cancer this year, noting the list is shorter than past years.

“This year we’ve only got two names, and that’s a great thing,” he said. “I want to be here when there are no names to read.”

At the race, there were several booths for food, drinks and other activities. Booths with information about ovarian and gynecologic cancers as well as other health-related subjects also covered the green space at The Preserve.

Hoover resident Emily Knerr, 12, helped kick off the 5K. Knerr was diagnosed with a rare form of ovarian cancer at 6 years old, and she is now a six-year survivor. 

For more information about the Laura Crandall Brown Ovarian Cancer Foundation, visit thinkoflaura.org.