Inaugural Pink Up the Pace 5K held in Crestline

The first-ever Pink Up the Pace 5K — staged in order to support local breast cancer research — was held in Crestline on a warm, sunny afternoon on Saturday, April 28.

The race start and other activities were held at the athletic field at Crestline Elementary School.

The event also featured the one-mile Dolly Dash, which drew both adults and children, including some young kids on bicycles and scooters.

The Pink Up The Pace event was created by Amy Stevens, whose mother Dolly O'Neal founded the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama in 1996. 

Proceeds from the event will benefit the BCRFA.

“The whole idea behind it is every dollar that’s raised goes back to UAB for research,” Amy Stevens told Village Living recently. The Dolly Dash is named after Stevens’ mother.

Many race participants and other attendees wore pink and there was even pink cotton candy being served. Runners in both races were also doused with pink powder at the finish line.

As of Friday before the race, about 70 people had signed up for the 5K, and more than 100 more the Dolly Dash, according to a BCRFA spokesperson on Saturday.

The after party on the field included games, food and beverages.