To some today is considered the race of the year.
For the past 23 years the Komen Peoria Race for the Cure has brought thousands in from across the country, to cover the streets of the River City in a sea of pink.
This year some of those 19 thousand participants from survivors to volunteers were out believing they are the cure.

In the Metro Centre parking lot each face you see has a story behind it. Some are stories of survival.
"I am a 12-year survivor of cancer," says Joann Lucas.
Some are stories of support.
"I've been out here every year since I was born my grand mom and my mom carried me the first year I was only a couple of weeks old my Aunt had breast cancer and she beat it so we come out every year and support it," says Melissa Hammond.

Beating the disease that takes the lives of thousands year after year is what gives Joann Lucas the strength to keep walking and hoping.
"I just lost my husband to cancer and I lost a brother and a number of other family members."
Those losses are the reasons people walk...the reasons people run and for some the reason they volunteer.
"I know a couple people who have had breast caner and I wanted to help and this is the only way I could do it," says Gwen Merz.
"We all come out it doesn't matter if its rain or shine we all want to beat this cancer," says Melissa Hammond.

Those crossing this finish line are champions of that cause.