First Annual 5k Raises over $15,000 for Cancer Advocacy
The first runners take off down the trail as the 5k begins. It only took the front runners 15-20 minutes to finish the five kilometer course through the scenic Saratoga Park (Aidan Cahill)
Humans weren’t the only ones participating in the event as several K-9s from the daycare and training school Dog Logic made the trek with their humans. (Aidan Cahill)
Traffic cones, superheroes and all matter of witches and bats could be seen this past weekend in Saratoga Spa State Park.
They were part of the first annual “Spook Out Cancer” 5k held the morning of Oct. 5. The event was held to raise money for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network — the nonpartisan political advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society.
Dozens of runners and walkers took to the course, many in costumes ranging from superheroes to cones, witches and everything in between. The course ran through parts of the Saratoga Spa State Park, starting near the Orenda Pavillion, past the Saratoga Automobile Museum, and the golf course before turning back on itself and returning to the start/finish line.
Olivia Mannion, the organizer of the 5k, said that planning for the charity run started back in May after she attended an event by the American Cancer Society which encouraged grass roots activism. Mannion, herself, a survivor of stage four cancer, said she got the idea for the 5k after seeing the impact of a similar one that took place in Vermont.
Despite this being the first year of the event, the turnout was high. 395 people took part in the event with over $15,000 raised to support the American Cancer Society.
Mannion said she was excited by the unexpectedly large turnout and said it speaks to the “incredible” community both in terms of participants as well as sponsors who donated items to be raffled off.
“It’s just so amazing to see everyone come out,” Mannion said. “I’m just so excited to see everyone come together for an important cause.”
In addition to the run, there was also a costume contest where winners would get a basket donated by sponsors. It wasn’t just humans dressing up either. Several dogs sported costumes and walked with their humans at the event. Mannion joked that although she loved the dog costumes, she hoped humans would receive the prizes as many of them included candy.
Cancer — the common name for a group of diseases caused by uncontrolled cell growth — was the second leading cause of death in the US behind only heart disease in 2023, according to the CDC. These deaths accounted for nearly 20% of the total number of deaths in the US that year.
For 2025, the American Cancer Society estimates that over 9 million people will be diagnosed with cancer this year with over 600,000 expected to die from the disease.
Mannion highlighted this impact as part of the reason she put on the 5k.
“Cancer is something that affects every single person,” Mannion said. “Whether you’re a survivor or a caregiver, everyone has a cancer story.”
Correction: An earlier version of the story listed the amount raised as over $5,000. The actual number was over $15,000.