The weather was grey and the sky threatened rain, but as I walked past the Philadelphia Museum of Art, I saw colorful costumes, smiles, and a lot of teal. This is the third year we’ve photographed the Sandy Sprint Superhero 5K or 10K Run/Walk & Canine Sprint for our friends at the Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation and SPW Productions. I spent some time at the registration tent admiring costumes and meeting friendly dogs dressed as superheroes. People of all ages were registering; whole families laughed and talked together as they walked onto the grass toward the stage in front of the museum to adjust costumes and stretch in preparation for their run.
During the opening ceremony, each present survivor of the disease stepped forward and told the crowd how long she’d been living with ovarian cancer. For some, it was just a few months, for others, it had been years. The crowd applauded, and the women’s families gathered to support them. The survivors then followed a Rocky impersonator to the art museum steps for a photo.
Group stretching followed, and then the first race began. Runners fired from the starting line onto the running path that stretched out beyond the museum over the water. Shaun followed the first race, and I hung back at the huge vendor tent where various organizations came out to support the event. It started to drizzle, and various superheroes took shelter under the tent.
Despite the rain, the rest of the runners were in high spirits as they began moving toward the starting line for the second race, and I followed them. At the starting line, some runners got in a few last minute stretches while others waited eagerly for the start of the race. When it began, some took off like a shot. Others walked the path comfortably with dogs and excited small children.
Rocky was at the finish line encouraging returning runners from the first race. When it started to pour, bystanders merely retreated to a nearby overpass and cheered from there. The weather was no match for the enthusiasm and dedication of the people gathered to raise awareness and funds to support the work of the Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation.
The Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation honors the memory of Sandy Rollman and all women who have lost their battle with ovarian cancer by working toward educating people about ovarian cancer. They have several initiatives, including providing support for patients with a recent diagnosis, educating the general public about ovarian cancer, and a program where survivors teach medical students about the symptoms of the disease in hopes of early recognition.
Runners warm up and stretch as they get ready to run!
Even dogs can be superheroes.
Survivors of ovarian cancer on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art with Rocky.
The race begins!
#run #time2run #finishline #nevergiveup #runhappy #sandysprint #shaunreillyphotography #teamteal #sandyrollmanovariancancerfoundation