Watch CBS News

55,000 Race For The Cure At Mall Of America

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (WCCO/AP) -- Roughly 55,000 runners, walkers and wheelchair participants gathered at the Mall of America Sunday for the Susan G. Komen Twin Cities Race for the Cure.

The 5K began at 7:30 a.m. More than $2.5 million was raised for breast cancer research, education, screening and preliminary treatment programs.

The race's top finishers were Luke Pedersen, 23, of Richfield, Minn. (at 17:40) and Janet Kane Pfaffinger, 49, of Plymouth, Minn., who finished at 20:51 and was both the top female finisher and top survivor to finish.

Seventy-five percent of the money raised stays in Minnesota to help uninsured and under-insured women battle the disease.

Among the highlights: Olympic gold medal gymnast Nastia Liukin lead a team of walkers across the finish line.

Organizers say the Komen Twin Cities Race for the Cure is one of the largest 5K runs and fitness walks in the world that raises money and awareness for the fight against breast cancer.

About 50,000 men, women and children participated in last year's event.

(TM and © Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.