Thursday, thousands of Peoria Race for the Cure participants will make a trip to Northwoods Mall. But packet pick–up has already begun...

There's a flurry of Race activity going on at Northwoods Mall. Team Packet–up has already started, and individual packet pick up starts Thursday. Of course this is all gearing up for the big race day Saturday.

There are hundreds of volunteers out here ready to look up names and hand out T–shirts and loot bags. And every one of them has a story for being here...

Melinda Black said, "My mom died six years ago of breast cancer. I had to do something. I couldn't help her. She died ten days after the race, and the last thing she said to me, she called me the night before and she said to me, I won't be able to make it this year, I'm not feeling good, but walk really fast for me. I couldn't walk fast enough for her, but maybe for someone else I can."

Or if you should choose...you can also Ride for the Cure.
The effort is prepared for a large turnout this year.

Joyce Harlan said, "Our ride was so large last year there's quite a bit of risk reliability with it. So there was more insurance purchased this year."

Kids Teams were picking up their loot bags as well.

Cassi Crum said, "They get their own packet, it has more things that are relevant to children and just a way to get them involved with the parents. Everyone's effected by breast cancer. Even Kids."

You can sign up for the Race, Ride and Kids for the Cure here at Northwoods Mall all day Thursday. And for all your race questions, you can go to our website at week.dot.com.