Paint the Town Pink 5K Returns to Columbus Oct. 23 for Cancer Fund |
16th annual Woodruff Park run-walk raises money for the Neighbors Helping Neighbors Cancer Assistance Fund |
Columbus runners, walkers and cancer survivors will fill Woodruff Park on Friday, October 23, for the 16th annual Paint the Town Pink 5K Fun Walk/Run, a fundraiser that keeps every dollar it raises inside the local community.
The West Central Georgia Cancer Coalition organizes the event each October, timing it to Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Proceeds benefit the Neighbors Helping Neighbors Cancer Assistance Fund, which helps local residents in active cancer treatment cover costs such as gas, utilities and groceries.
A survivor parade opens the evening at 5:45 p.m., honoring cancer survivors and their families before the timed 5K and a shorter fun walk begin at 6:30 p.m. Both routes start and finish at Woodruff Park in Uptown Columbus. |
 Illustrative image, not the Columbus event. Photo by Anna Tarazevich on Pexels |
Registration remains open through race day, though prices have already increased. Early pricing closed October 11; runners now pay $45 and walkers $35, and late sign-ups are not guaranteed a T-shirt in their size. Participants 12 and older may register.
Packet pickup is set for Thursday, October 22, from noon to 6 p.m. at the Cunningham Center. Runners who miss that window can still register and collect packets at Woodruff Park starting at 4 p.m. on race day, ahead of the 5:45 p.m. survivor parade. Age-group medals go to the top finishers in the timed run, while the untimed walk division is open to strollers and families moving at their own pace.
Readers who want to register can find current pricing, a course map, and volunteer sign-up links on the coalition's official registration page. Woodruff Park sits in the heart of Uptown Columbus, within walking distance of restaurants and parking along Broadway, so race-day visitors can easily combine the event with a stop downtown. Whether running competitively or walking in support of a friend, participants help keep the Neighbors Helping Neighbors fund active for Columbus-area families facing a cancer diagnosis this year. |
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I like knowing the proceeds help local people pay utilities during treatment. Those bills don’t stop just because someone gets sick.
Absolutely. The fund helps local residents in active treatment with everyday costs, including utilities, gas and groceries.
Nina CarterExactly. Keeping the lights on is one less thing a family should have to worry about during treatment.
A 6:30 start seems a little late for a 5K in October. I’m glad there’s a shorter walk for folks who don’t want to run.
Marcus T.I’m with you on the late start. I’ll probably do the walk and stick around to cheer on the runners.
The 5K and shorter fun walk both start at 6:30 p.m., so there’s an option for people who’d rather walk. We hope you can join us!
We went to the survivor parade last year and it was a special evening. Get to Woodruff Park before 5:45 if you want to see it start.
Janet R.Good tip. We got there right at 5:45 last year and missed the beginning.
Thank you for sharing that memory, and for the helpful tip. This year’s survivor parade begins at Woodruff Park at 5:45 p.m.
Does anyone know if the shorter walk is good for little kids? We’d love to come out for the survivor parade too.
Trevor BellWe brought our kids to the shorter walk last year and took it at their pace. They liked seeing the survivor parade too.
We’d love to see your family there! The shorter fun walk starts at 6:30 p.m., after the survivor parade at 5:45. The organizer can confirm whether the route suits your little ones.
My sister is still in treatment, and help with gas and groceries makes a real difference. I’m glad the money stays here in Columbus.
We’re sorry your sister is going through treatment. That practical help is exactly what the Neighbors Helping Neighbors fund is meant to provide locally.
Lisa M.Wishing your sister well. Gas for all those appointments adds up fast, so I’m glad this fund helps with everyday costs.