Colorectal cancer touches the lives of countless people each year. Maybe you’ve been personally affected, or perhaps you have a family member or friend with the disease.
March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month, and what better time to get movin’ than to join a 5K charity race. All across the U.S. you will find races hosted by national and local charities with the aim to support colon cancer patients and survivors, raise funds for screening, research, and awareness projects, and provide funds to fight and treat the disease. Your participation not only benefits these charitable organizations, but it will also enhance your own physical fitness.
Running and walking both offer significant health benefits from the physical to the mental and emotional. Both forms of exercise have been shown to reduce the risk of breast and colon cancers, heart disease, and diabetes, lower blood pressure, regulate blood sugar levels, and release endorphins to improve mood and alleviate stress. While running does burn more calories and work the cardiovascular system more than walking, both strengthen the body and improve overall health. A win-win!
Whether you choose to walk or run, here are some tips to finding and getting involved in a 5K race near you.
Even if you don’t win first place, your participation will impact lives, including your own. Remember the real reason why you’re running: to give back to your community and help spread awareness about colorectal cancer. Get your body movin’ and find a 5K race today!