Photos: Especially For You Race Against Breast Cancer marks 35 years with record numbers at Cedar Rapids event

The annual event, which raises money to provide financial assistance for breast and gynecologic cancer screenings and services, set a record with 16,682 people registered

Elizabeth Wood

Oct. 5, 2025 11:54 am, Updated: Oct. 5, 2025 1:58 pm

First Lutheran Church members Julie Banker and Emily Hannes hold up a sign and cheer on walkers participating in the 35th annual Especially for You (EFY) Race Against Breast Cancer on 10th Street near the Hall-Perrine Cancer Center in southeast Cedar Rapids on Sunday. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

First Lutheran Church Pastor Katie Lowe Lancaster cheers on walkers and hands out stickers to walkers participating in the 35th annual Especially for You (EFY) Race Against Breast Cancer at Hall-Perrine Cancer Center in southeast Cedar Rapids on Sunday. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Ann Hegstrom waves up at a camera for a group photo of breast cancer survivors before the 35th annual Especially for You (EFY) Race Against Breast Cancer began at Hall-Perrine Cancer Center in southeast Cedar Rapids on Sunday. Hegstrom said she has been cancer-free for six years, and this is the fifth year she has participated in the 5K. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Linda Schmuecker, of Blairstown, dances to the music while waiting for the 35th annual Especially for You (EFY) Race Against Breast Cancer to begin at Hall-Perrine Cancer Center in southeast Cedar Rapids on Sunday. Schmuecker said this is the first time she has participated in the race. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Tracy Hammons, of Cedar Rapids, walks in the 35th annual Especially for You (EFY) Race Against Breast Cancer with her family on Second Avenue in southeast Cedar Rapids on Sunday. Hammons said she’s celebrating being two months cancer-free. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Runners set off for the 35th annual Especially for You (EFY) Race Against Breast Cancer at Hall-Perrine Cancer Center in southeast Cedar Rapids on Sunday. EFY organizers said 1,680 people registered for the 5K. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Shayla Brooks (center), of Cedar Rapids, cheers on runners finishing the 5K with Angela Downing (left), of Cedar Rapids, and Ashely Brooks, of Cedar Rapids, during the 35th annual Especially for You (EFY) Race Against Breast Cancer at Hall-Perrine Cancer Center in southeast Cedar Rapids on Sunday. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

William Meyer, of Cedar Rapids, and Shelly Wernimont Meyer, of Cedar Rapids, cheer on runners finishing the 35th annual Especially for You (EFY) Race Against Breast Cancer at Hall-Perrine Cancer Center in southeast Cedar Rapids on Sunday. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

First Lutheran Church pastor Katie Lowe Lancaster hands Lucinda Alexander a sticker during the 35th annual Especially for You (EFY) Race Against Breast Cancer at Hall-Perrine Cancer Center in southeast Cedar Rapids on Sunday. Alexander said she was walking with the Sister in a Circle group, which was supporting her aunt, Carol Franklin, a two-time cancer survivor. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

“Loe walks for Della — Be like Deb” and “Chin up! Love, Sarge” were written on a pink truck along with messages, dedications, and breast cancer survivor names during the 35th annual Especially for You (EFY) Race Against Breast Cancer at Hall-Perrine Cancer Center in southeast Cedar Rapids on Sunday. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Jessica Stuer (left), of Cedar Rapids, and Diann Barrigar (right) swing Dean Stuer, 5, while they and Jack Stuer, 8, make their way to the finish line of the 35th annual Especially for You (EFY) Race Against Breast Cancer at Hall-Perrine Cancer Center in southeast Cedar Rapids on Sunday. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Nate Hopp, of Cedar Rapids, was the first to cross the finish line for the 35th annual Especially for You (EFY) Race Against Breast Cancer at Hall-Perrine Cancer Center in southeast Cedar Rapids on Sunday. Hopp said this is the third year he has been the first to complete the 5K. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Megan Moore, of Olin, talks to her family while writing her name on a pink truck before the 35th annual Especially for You (EFY) Race Against Breast Cancer at Hall-Perrine Cancer Center in southeast Cedar Rapids on Sunday. Moore said she’s been cancer-free for four years, and she has signed her name in that spot every year she’s participated in the race because it’s easy to find. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Lindey Archer (left), Sherry Clayton (center) and Hayley Olson look at the chalk mural of their sister and daughter, Cydney Lovell, before the 35th annual Especially for You (EFY) Race Against Breast Cancer at Hall-Perrine Cancer Center in southeast Cedar Rapids on Sunday. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)