'Rear In Gear' 5K Will Raise Awareness For Colon Cancer

TINLEY PARK, IL -- The ninth annual running of the "Get Your Rear In Gear - Tinley Park" 5K run/walk will bring more than 500 people to Tinley Park on Sunday, July 23. The event, which began as a way to honor the late Rick Hayward of Tinley Park who lost his battle with colon cancer in 2009, is planned to raise awareness and encourage screening for this "largely preventable cancer," according to a news release.

The event begins at 8 a.m. at Community Park, 8125 W. 171st St. in Tinley Park with a timed 5K. A Kids' Fun Run is next at 8:30 a.m. and a 5K walk starts at 9 a.m.

“Our friends and family brought Get Your Rear in Gear to Tinley Park in 2009 after my husband, Rick Hayward, lost his battle with colon cancer,” says Celeste Hayward, Tinley Park resident and local event director for Get Your Rear in Gear – Tinley Park. "I discovered that 1 in 20 Americans will be diagnosed with colon cancer but no one wanted to talk about it. I want to help change that. My hope is that by talking openly about colon health and the importance of colon cancer screening, lives can be saved.”­­

Those interested can register for the event here.

Photo provided