Participants cross the finish line at Finley Stadium on Sunday during the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.
Juan Mallozzi and his daughter, Jelleny Mallozzi, wave shortly before crossing the finish line at Finley Stadium during the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure on Sunday.
Michelle Richard, left, and Tina Stewart hold roses after completing the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Chattanooga Sunday. Breast cancer survivors received a rose at the end of the race.Neither rain nor fire doused hope and encouragement emanating from participants in the 15th annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Sunday.
Breast cancer survivors and supporters came for the race in spite of rain.
A fire at the Komen Chattanooga headquarters in late September -- only weeks away from the fundraising run/walk -- required organizers to replace race participant T-shirts and prizes, delaying the date participants could pick up their race materials before the Oct. 12 event.
But nothing stopped the racers' enthusiasm and stride.
Pharrell Williams' song "Happy" played in Finley Stadium after Tracy Wilkerson crossed the 5k finish line in a full face of make-up -- hot-pink eye shadow and matching lipstick -- with a studded purse and tutu.
She walked with a group called the Pinktastics to support a co-worker and breast cancer survivor, Parkridge Valley Hospital's Renee Qualey.
Wilkerson was among thousands who hit Finley Stadium Sunday to commemorate friends and family who have succumbed to breast cancer and rejoice with those who still survive.
Some men dyed their beards pink and women showed off knee-high pink socks, tutus and wigs in addition to the pink-ribbon-emblazoned T-shirts that unified the group.
Forty-eight-year-old Rosie Martinez slid her hot-pink wig off to reveal her bald head. Diagnosed in March, she's taking chemotherapy and radiation, but didn't miss the race.
"It gives me strength," she said, while surrounded by a half-dozen friends and family members also decked in hot-pink accessories.
Race organizers hoped to raise $660,000 and draw 6,000 participants. Score keepers said about 3,000 people participated in the timed race.
The funds raised go toward breast cancer awareness, prevention, research and providing support for breast cancer survivors.
Getting a diagnosis of breast cancer is "devastating and scary," said Olivia Salazar, a survivor diagnosed about 18 months ago, who walked with Martinez. She waved back tears with her hands as she spoke.
"I had my family with me and my husband supported me a lot," she said. "I went through with the chemo, stayed sick most of the time, but everything is fine so far."
Norma Spears came from South Pittsburg, Tenn., with more than a dozen members from her Greater Mt. Olive Baptist Church.
They stepped in celebration of breast cancer survivors like Tenia Tate, their pastor's wife, and other church members like Lena Johnson and Darlene Kelso.
"Walking brings awareness and raises funds for research and it lets people who survive know we love them," Spears said.
Joseph Croxton of Dunlap clutched a rain-soaked hot-pink sign that read "In memory of mom" as he walked with his daughter, Shannon Reel.
"Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women," Reel said. "More people need to get checked."
Wallethia Dailey walked to celebrate her godmother, Zabra Kirkesy, who is a cancer survivor.
"Keep coming out and supporting," Dailey said. "One day there will be a cure for breast cancer."
Contact staff writer Yolanda Putman at yputman@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6431.