The ninth annual “Reason to Run” 5K run/walk and family event benefitting CancerFree KIDS Pediatric Cancer Research Alliance will be held on Saturday, November 5, 2016, at the Deering Estate, 16701 S.W. 72 Avenue, Miami at 8 a.m. On-site registration and check-in will begin at 7 a.m. The registration fee is $30 for adults before October 28. The fee increases to $40 thereafter.

To date, the event has raised close to $300,000 for pediatric cancer research. Dr. Julio Barredo of the UM Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center has received grants totaling $80,000, and Dr. Regina Graham, Director of the University of Miami Brain Tumor Initiative, received a $30,000 grant. The “Reason to Run” 5K run/walk is the brainchild of avid marathoners and training partners Linda Martinez and Lisette Zamora. Both women have participated in and coached a number of fundraising events for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. “Finding cures for pediatric cancers took on a special meaning for my family nine years ago when my now 14-year-old nephew was diagnosed with a brain tumor when he was 5 years old,” said Martinez, event organizer. “The fact remains that cancer is the number one disease killer of children but receives only four percent of the National Cancer Institute’s budget, and the treatments currently available often negatively impact the quality of life for those who survive. Events such as this one will help fund life-saving research while raising awareness that there is still much work to be done.”

After the run/walk, participants will be invited to enter the Deering property for a post-race event that will include a giveaways, music, food, drinks, bounce-houses and other entertainment in the family area. All participants will be automatically entered to win one of many raffle prizes including a Miami Seaquarium dolphin swim for four, a golf foursome at the Deering Bay Yacht and Country Club, admission to other attractions, and a host of other prizes. Those wishing to enter, but not walk or run, can make a donation or purchase a raffle ticket for $5.