Thousands participate in Triangle Race for the Cure

For the thousands who annually Race for the Cure, Saturday's 20th annual Triangle iteration presented a change of scenery. With construction on Hillsborough Street in Raleigh, the race moved from its home at Meredith College to Research Triangle Park.

Posted 10:00 a.m. Jun 11, 2016 — Updated 6:58 p.m. Jul 13, 2018

DURHAM, N.C. — For the thousands who annually Race for the Cure, Saturday's 20th annual Triangle iteration presented a change of scenery. With construction on Hillsborough Street in Raleigh, the race moved from its home at Meredith College to Research Triangle Park.

Buses began rolling from the park-and-ride lot at 6:30 a.m. to deliver runners for the 7:30 a.m. start of the competitive 5K.

The competitive race was followed at 8:15 a.m. by the Survivor Celebration and a Zumba warm-up for participants in the 9 a.m. recreational race.

Paerl Cohen, a 10-year survivor, said she relishes the opportunity to be around other survivors and provide hope each year.

"It gives me a chance to be around other survivors to get a really good feeling of comradeship and hope," Cohen said. "You just have this wonderful, warm feeling."

Thelma McLamb, who was diagnosed with breast cancer 51 years ago and participated in the event Saturday, said she was determined to keep her sprits high.

"I said it's not going to get me down, I've got a family to raise," McLamb said. "As long as I stay positive about it, I'm better off."

Paige Walker was diagnosed a year ago but graduated from radiation treatment in April.

"It was a struggle, but we did it and we got here," she said. "I just could not walk in to the Duke Cancer Institute in my regular clothes and walk out. I had to make a big deal out of it."