Saturday, May 7, 2011 | 3:50 p.m.
It was a little warm for early May, but thousands of people still took to the streets of downtown Las Vegas on Saturday for the annual Komen Race for the Cure.
About 14,500 people participated in the event, which included a 5K run, a 5K timed walk and a 1-mile fun run.
The event is the largest fundraiser for the Southern Nevada Chapter of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, a foundation that helps victims of breast cancer with a goal of finding a cure.
This year’s participation was down from last year, when about 16,600 people participated, but several events competed for people’s attention on Saturday, while the economy has hurt fundraising efforts, said Stephanie Kirby, the executive director of the local affiliate.
The event has grown over the past several years. For example, Kirby noted it had 1,359 participants in 1996.
The race began and finished at the Fremont Street Experience, where a band kept people entertained and local dignitaries helped to honor the winners.
“Everybody that was down there really seemed to be having a good time,” Kirby said.
It’s too early to know how much money the event raised, Kirby said. Whatever the final total is, 75 percent will go toward operating the local group for the next year and 25 percent will go toward research to find a cure for breast cancer.
A “Sleep for the Cure” fundraising drive will continue until the end of the month, Kirby said. People who couldn’t attend the Saturday event are invited to sign up online. Anyone who participates will receive a T-shirt recognizing him or her for sleeping in on race day.
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