Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure draws more than 15,000 participants

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (KABC) -- Thousands of breast cancer survivors along with family, friends and community members hit the pavement to celebrate life and raise money for breast cancer research at the 24th annual Susan G. Komen Orange County Race for the Cure in Newport Beach Sunday.

Over 15,000 runners kicked off the 5k run/walk at Fashion Island at about 7:15 a.m.

About 600 of those registered participants were breast cancer survivors. Female survivors sported pink T-shirt, hats and beads, with each bead representing a milestone in their fight against cancer.

Komen's goal is to raise $2 million at this event, which has turned into the largest event of its kind in Orange County.

Mark Rutherford of Team First American says over 70 percent of his company's employee population is female. Dressed in capes, his team consisted of about 350 participants.

"We wanted to acknowledge all the folks in our company that have been survivors and all the people that support them every day as they do their work at First American," he said.

ABC7 Orange County bureau chef Eileen Frere had the honor of starting Sunday's race.

ABC7 anchor Michelle Tuzee, Ellen Levya, Inland Empire bureau chief Rob McMillan and consumer specialist Ric Romero were also on-hand to greet fans at a booth during the event. ABC7 is a proud sponsor of the event.

For more information, visit www.komenoc.org/race.