Thousands take part in Jacksonville's Komen Race for the Cure

Race began at Metropolitan Park

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – They came out bright and early decked out in pink, running for a cause. Thousands of people took part Saturday in the Susan G. Komen Race for a Cure in downtown Jacksonville.

The weather was beautiful for the runner and walkers weaving through the streets. About 6,000 people, many in interesting outfits, set off in hopes of raising awareness and money for a cure for breast cancer.

"This is our third year, and like I said I have been a survivor for two years and it is an honor to be on the opposite side of cancer," said breast cancer survivor Barbara Moore.

Moore and her granddaughter took part and loved the event. They said the support is unmatched.

"It is amazing. I just love coming out to support and to be with her this whole weekend," said walker Brittany Potwin. "It's just all about her and everybody who is a cancer survivor."

Komen North Florida is all about education. Doctors said the chances of beating breast cancer are exponentially higher when it's caught early.

"We use these funds in many cases to help educate women to get screening mammograms, as well as help fund some women to get screening mammograms who otherwise couldn't afford it," said Dr. Ankit Desai, Florida Plastic Surgery Group. "If we can do that, we can get women to have detection of breast cancer at an earlier stage and have a significantly better chance for a cure."

News4Jax anchor Staci Spanos hosted the event. News4Jax is a proud sponsor of the Komen race for the cure.

"What we have been trying to do through those stories is to tell your stories and to show the courage that many of you have," said Spanos.

There's a cure and we need to be out here until we find it," said breast cancer survivor Debbie Galvin.

If you missed Saturday's race Komen North Florida is hosting another event Sunday called the Walk for Awareness. For more information about the event, click here.