More than 1,200 People Participate in the Runyon 5K at Yankee Stadium

On Saturday, July 29, 2023, the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation held the Runyon 5K at Yankee Stadium, with 100% of funds raised directly supporting innovative cancer research by brilliant early career scientists. Since 2009, the Runyon 5K has raised over $6 million for cancer researchers all over the country working on new ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat all forms of cancer.

“We were thrilled to be back at Yankee Stadium this past weekend,” said Yung S. Lie, PhD, President and CEO of Damon Runyon. “It’s always incredibly meaningful to see so many people coming out to support this crucial work and to hear stories from so many people about how cancer has affected their lives.”

After opening remarks by New York State Assemblymember Amanda Septimo and Jessica Cunnington of NBC 4 New York, more than 1,200 people including families, corporate teams, runners, and baseball fans touched by cancer set off on a unique course that went through the ballpark’s concourses, ramps, and stairs, and included two laps around the warning track that circles the field.

The 2023 Runyon 5K was sponsored by GCT USA, CLIF Bar & Company, MUSH, Poland Spring, Cabot Creamery, Fleet Feet NYC, New York Post, and SiriusXM.

Since its inception in 2009, the Runyon 5K has attracted thousands of participants from all five boroughs of New York City and across the country – from cancer survivors and their friends and family members to runners and baseball fans – who run or walk through Yankee Stadium to raise awareness and funds for cancer research.

The Runyon 5K marks the latest chapter in the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation’s long history with the Yankees. After the Foundation’s establishment in 1946, Joe DiMaggio was on its Board of Directors and Mickey Mantle was an active fundraiser. Damon Runyon, who died from throat cancer in 1946, was a New York writer who began his career as a baseball journalist. He revolutionized how the game was covered and often reported on Yankees games.

About the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation

To accelerate breakthroughs, the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation provides today’s best young scientists with funding to pursue innovative cancer research. The Foundation has invested nearly $420 million and funded more than 3,900 young scientists, including 13 Nobel laureates. 100% of donations made to the Foundation are used to support scientific research. Learn more at damonrunyon.org.