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Runners cross the start line early Saturday morning at the beginning of the competitive 5K race event at the 12th Annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. More than 15,000 people were expected at the event, which was held in the Gateway Village area. Other events included the non-competitive 5K race, a kid's 50 yard dash and the 1 mile fun run/walk. An awards ceremony and a "survivor ceremony at survivor village" followed. Survivors received pink balloons, one for each year of survival, and were recognized on stage before a huge balloon release concluded the event. DIEDRA LAIRD - dlaird@charlotteobserver.com
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Runners cross the start line early Saturday morning at the beginning of the competitive 5K race event at the 12th Annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. DIEDRA LAIRD - dlaird@charlotteobserver.com
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Arsalan Hafezi runs with his dog in the competitive 5K race, which started at 7:30 a.m. at W. 4th St. and Victoria Ave. DIEDRA LAIRD - dlaird@charlotteobserver.com
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A large crowd cheers the runners on with balloons and signs at the start of the competitive 5K race at the 12th Annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. DIEDRA LAIRD - dlaird@charlotteobserver.com
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The winner of the competitive 5K race, Curtis Houser of Charlotte, crosses the finish line. He said he ran the race "in celebration of Fran Morrison," a friend and cancer survivor who just learned 2 days ago of her cure. DIEDRA LAIRD - dlaird@charlotteobserver.com
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The winner of the competitive 5K race, Curtis Houser of Charlotte, gets a hug from his wife Melissa Houser as he crosses the finish line of the competitive 5k race Saturday morning. He said he ran the race "in celebration of Fran Morrison," a friend and cancer survivor who just learned 2 days ago of her cure. DIEDRA LAIRD - dlaird@charlotteobserver.com
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Jose Santos raises a fist in celebration as he crosses the finish line in Saturday's 5k competitive race in the Komen Race for the Cure. DIEDRA LAIRD - dlaird@charlotteobserver.com
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A runner points skyward after finishing this year's Komen Race for the Cure competitive race. DIEDRA LAIRD - dlaird@charlotteobserver.com
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L-r runners Linda Lochridge and Heather Eschert hug after completing Saturday's competitive 5k race. DIEDRA LAIRD - dlaird@charlotteobserver.com
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L-r Runner Celia Thompson is congratulated by Hodges and Erin of the Topcats after finishing the competitive race Saturday morning. DIEDRA LAIRD - dlaird@charlotteobserver.com
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L-r Alisa Icenhour and Ronni Berndt celebrate their completion of the competitive 5k race at Saturday's Komen Race for the Cure. DIEDRA LAIRD - dlaird@charlotteobserver.com
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Carmen Teague reaches the finish line with l-r twins Tyre and Titus, 3 months, and daughter Tattie Anne, 3. DIEDRA LAIRD - dlaird@charlotteobserver.com
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Carmen Teague high fives daughter Trilla Belle, 5, after reaching the finish line with l-r twins Tyre and Titus, 3 months, Trilla Belle and Tattie Anne, 3. DIEDRA LAIRD - dlaird@charlotteobserver.com
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Detail of l-r runners Linda Lochridge and Heather Eschert from Saturday's competitive 5k race. DIEDRA LAIRD - dlaird@charlotteobserver.com
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Mary Stokes, the longest survivor at this year's event with 53 years cancer-free, waves to the crowd from the stage as she stands with other long-term survivors being recognized during the concluding Survivor Ceremony at Survivor Village. DIEDRA LAIRD - dlaird@charlotteobserver.com
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Survivors from the Sisters Network of Charlotte and Sisters in Partnership of Cabarrus County dance to music while holding their pink survivor balloons and waiting for the balloon release at Gateway Village. DIEDRA LAIRD - dlaird@charlotteobserver.com
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Frieda Crawford holds granddaughter Langely Fields, 21 months, as she prepares to release her balloons at the Survivors Balloon release at Gateway Village. DIEDRA LAIRD - dlaird@charlotteobserver.com
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Survivors release their balloons at Gateway Village as the Komen Race for the Cure concludes. DIEDRA LAIRD - dlaird@charlotteobserver.com
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Survivors release their balloons at Gateway Village as the Komen Race for the Cure concludes. DIEDRA LAIRD - dlaird@charlotteobserver.com
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Hundreds of pink balloons released by cancer survivors soar into the morning sky at the conclusion of this year's Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure at Gateway Village. DIEDRA LAIRD - dlaird@charlotteobserver.com
