On Sept. 28, 850 runners were dressed in purple and gold in support of those fighting childhood cancer. In the annual Royal Run for Hope, runners ran either a 1k or a 5k, with all earnings being donated to families battling childhood cancer.
Sisters Martha Martinez and Christina Mireles watched their mother fight her own battle with cancer. When they realized there were no local events supporting childhood cancer, they decided to create one. With support from friends, the Royal Run for Hope was born in 2011.
According to the Cure Search research organization, 17,000 children in the U.S. and 300,000 globally are diagnosed with cancer. Martinez and Mireles wanted to provide not just financial assistance, but also a sense of solidarity for affected families.
“We wanted to give back to the community, and we came up with the idea to run a 5K,” Martinez said, “Now it’s been 14 years of this tradition.”
Throughout the years the event has grown uniting people from all over El Paso with the support of sponsors, ambassadors, vendors, committee members, entertainers and volunteers.
From promoting the event online to dancing on the sidelines to helping distribute water to the runners, volunteers and people who also supported the cause. The event’s partnership with Buick House also ensured 100% of the profit goes to El Paso children battling cancer.
“We started out with 125 runners, today we have 850,” Martinez said. “The best part of it is knowing that all this is getting back to the community, to the children who are fighting and their families. Knowing they are all in this together, and seeing it out here in their faces, is like a reward on its own.”
The race also offers emotional support as many antendees are there to cheer on their family, friends and neighbors. Among them were Amy Kasuki and Deborah Vega, both dressed in purple puffy skirts as they ran the 1K.
“We are here to support our coworker and for awareness of his daughter Mia who passed away,” Kasuki said.
According to the American Cancer Organization, battling cancer can make the patients feel isolated and lead to mental health struggles. Studies have demonstrated that emotional support from the community can be very impactful.
“Cancer hits everywhere and El Paso is no exception,” Vega said. “For any community we must support where we can and just show that we care.”
The atmosphere was filled with excitement and adrenaline as viewers waited for the first person to cross the finish line. What mattered to many runners was not who crossed first, or who ran faster, but the fact that they were all in it together.
Dorian Villegas, a marathon enthusiast and winner of the 5K race, believes running is about more than a passion for the sport.
“I’m here today because I never miss this 5k, it’s for a great cause too,” Villegas said, “Here as the El Paso community, we come together as one.”
For the Royal Run for Hope, the meaning of the event has always gone beyond finish times. Each step is a reminder that no one fights alone, and that together it is possible to spread hope.
Vivien G. Noe C, is a Staff Reporter, at The Prospector and can be reached at [email protected]
