Source: Mike Watkins / World-Herald Correspondent
Despite its clever, stylish premise, the meaning and impact of the annual Boxer 500 are quite serious.
The event, which takes place Aug. 14 at Werner Park and is sponsored by the Great Plains Colon Cancer Task Force, brings awareness of the prevalence of colorectal cancer.
Participants are encouraged to draw attention to their “bottoms” by wearing their favorite boxer shorts.
That is what the event is all about after all: celebrating life through awareness and prevention.
“The Boxer 500 is a family-friendly event that uses the humor of running around in your boxer underwear to tie it back to the serious message of discussing colon cancer and screening,” said race director Kelli Sweet. “Our goal is to not only bring awareness but to encourage people to get screened for this preventable disease and to be aware of the signs and hereditary concerns for colon cancer.”
Sweet became involved with the Boxer 500 in 2009. Having a family member who was a colon cancer survivor provided the motivation to get involved — and she’s been running in her boxers ever since.