With the upcoming 10th year of the Bradley Classic, the cross country team will be representing more than their name. In honor of breast cancer awareness month, the cross country runners will “go pink” at their meet at 3 p.m. Oct. 18 at Newman Golf Course.
“We decided to do the Bradley ‘Pink’ Classic this year for the first time because it is the same week- end of the first ever Susan Komen half marathon here in Peoria,” Coach Marc Burns said.
The meet will allow for athletes and spectators to come out to the golf course to help raise awareness. Each participant will be required to wear pink jerseys, provided by Bradley University.
The runners will have pink bibs that display their racing numbers on the front. The backs of the bibs will be left blank for the racers to write the name of someone they know who has battled or is currently battling breast cancer.
A “tent of honor” will be at the event as well, where people can make a donation to the Komen foundation under Team Bradley. The participants can also post a card in the tent with a name of someone they know that has battled or is currently battling the disease.
“Our hope is to raise awareness for the battle against breast cancer and to raise money as well,” Burns said. Senior and runner Nathan Davis said he had a personal connection to the race.
“This event means a great deal to me as my mother is a breast cancer survivor, and I lost my grandmoth- er to breast cancer,” Davis said. With October being breast cancer awareness month and the heart of the cross-country season, Davis said other students are encour- aged to cheer him and his team- mates on as they race for a noble purpose.
“Obviously, I love running, so I take any opportunity I can get to combine my love of running with a good cause,” Davis said.