New York Colon Cancer Challenge

March 22, 2009 [Results]

The sixth running of the New York Colon Cancer Challenge, the nation’s premier colon cancer awareness event, took place on Sunday, March 22. (Nearly 150,000 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer each year.) Four-mile and 15K races and a 1.7-mile Remembrance and Prevention Walk were followed by a Wellness Festival in Central Park on a sunny 36-degree morning.

Family and friends of colorectal cancer victims, patients, and survivors came out in force to support this vital cause.	Presumably, Sergeant Pug completed the 1.7-mile walk under his own power.	At the Wellness Festival, visitors and finishers could find information on treatment and prevention.	It’s not every day that you can walk through a gigantic colon complete with polyps.
First out of the gate were the four-milers. Their course was one lap of Central Park’s inner loop.	The 15K runners followed; they covered laps of five and four miles and added a bit more for a 9.3-mile total.	Winter’s refusal to leave the city didn’t dampen the spirits of the nearly 5,000 runners…	…and these two were particularly impervious.
Baijnath Agiwal (6006) and Micah Ilowit (6399) found that running for a cause makes any distance easier.	They came, they saw, and they helped to conquer colon cancer.	Appreciative spectators might just sign up next year.	Cesar Medina caught the day’s positive vibe.
Kakushin Hirano emerged triumphant.	These guys shifted into sprint gear with about 50 meters to go.	The men’s 4-Mile was won by Oleksander Holovnytskyy, of the Warren Street Social & Athletic Club, in 20:16.	Victoria Ganushina, also of Warren Street, won the women’s 4-Mile in 24:09.
Olympic Trials marathoner Karl Dusen of the Manhattan Track Club won the men’s 15K in 46:42—5:01 per mile!	Lauren Uhler of New York City was the women’s 15K winner in a time of 55:14.	Dr. Thomas K. Weber, founder and president of the Colon Cancer Challenge Foundation, spread the message: Colorectal cancer is preventable, and screenings are vital.	Participants in the Remembrance and Prevention Walk, a 1.7-mile circuit of southern Central Park, increased awareness and resources to fight the disease.
Memorials to cancer victims touched and inspired the many thousands of participants.	When people can smile while remembering lost loved ones, a rare mood has been achieved.	There is indeed strength in numbers...	…and in love.