On the south side of Pine Bluff, more than 300 runners took to the neighborhood around Jefferson Regional Medical Center running against time – and breast cancer.
A few miles uptown at Lake Saracen, Billie Jean Jackson’s memory was kept alive as at least 100 more walked around the water to raise awareness of the disease.
Saturday marked the third year for Jefferson Regional to host the Pretty in Pink 5K, formerly known as the Pink Out 5K. For the second year it was held on the same morning as the 2K Legacy Walk honoring Jackson, the founder of Christian Way Funeral Home who died from breast cancer in 2000. The 2K Legacy Walk was held for the 10th year.
The Pretty in Pink 5K took on a grandmotherly theme. Some hospital employees, known as Mammo Grannies, dressed in grandmother-like garb and encouraged women to undergo mammograms for breast cancer detection. They also showered a few willing runners with pink dust as they raced back south past the Dr. Josetta E. Wilkins Health Unit.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
“You’re not going to keep your T-shirt clean,” the Mammo Grannies admonished the runners.
Wayne Harris, director of imaging services at Jefferson Regional, got in on the act as a grandfather with a light blue ballcap and plaid shirt in a wheelchair.
Jason Rogers and Brandy Baugh of Jefferson Regional’s Wellness Center in White Hall said the Pretty in Pink 5K has grown every year. Breast cancer affects everyone, Baugh said, but seeing the turnout was “a blessing.”
“I think we pushed it a little more,” Rogers said. “I think we reached out to some of our local corporations, and they bought in this year. We’re just hoping things are growing from here. We’re very pleased.”
John Proctor of Pine Bluff won the 5K with a time of 22 minutes, 41 seconds, but a close second was 11-year-old Eli Hefner of Glen Rose.
“It was tough. It was a little cold this morning, but as my body warmed up, I got used to it,” Proctor said. “It was a disadvantage because I didn’t get here in time to warm up.”
Asked why an 11-year-old would come a long way to Pine Bluff to run, Eli responded: “I don’t know. I was running with my family.”
Eli was the reason Proctor, 41, said he had to run fast.
“He was surging,” Proctor said. “I didn’t want to let him get away from me. When I say the guy was running, I give him kudos. He was running so well, I was actually contemplating letting him win if he crossed the line with me just so he can have the overall victory.”
Xristi Thomas, 11, of Pine Bluff was the highest-finishing female in the race. The course was more challenging than last year, she said.
“It means I trained harder,” she said about being the top female runner. “I worked out strong.”
At Saracen Landing, there was more than walking and running at the 2K Legacy Walk as fall temperatures rose from the 50s.
Vendors lined the pavilion, where supporters saw the 34th Avenue Elementary Rhythm of the Drums drumline and drill team march in. Makiyah Mustiful belted a powerful rendition of the National Anthem to the presentation of colors by the Pine Bluff High School color guard.
Keanon Coleman also sang his gospel song, “My Heart Is Overwhelmed,” and Dr. Sam Makhoul of CARTI Cancer Center encouraged women to not ignore signs of breast cancer, which can be detected under the arms as well as around the breast. Makhoul cited a staggering statistic of breast cancer deaths among Black women, stating the mortality rate among that population is 53 times higher than that of white and Asian women. Lack of access to care for breast cancer was a reason for the rate, he said.
“God gave us the wisdom for us to be with him, but we have to cross that door and ask for help,” Makhoul said.
Organizer Michelle Jackson Atkinson, Billie Jackson’s daughter, said the community approach to the annual event has been phenomenal.
“We have people not just in Pine Bluff, but we have people from Texas, coming from Missouri, Florida,” Atkinson said. “People are getting the word out. They’re coming out and they’re supporting.”
Dianna Chambers of Glendale and Teresa Ball of Woodlawn line up for the start of the Pretty in Pink! 5K. (Pine Bluff Commercial/I.C. Murrell)
Mammo Grannies, posing with Wayne Harris, Jefferson County director of imaging services, encourage the runners in the Pretty in Pink! 5K. (Pine Bluff Commercial/I.C. Murrell)
Dr. Sam Makhoul of CARTI Cancer Center explains the importance of being screened for breast cancer at the 2K Legacy Walk. (Pine Bluff Commercial/I.C. Murrell)
Members of the 34th Avenue Elementary Rhythm of the Drums Drill Team march down the Saracen Landing pavilion for the start of the 2K Legacy Walk. (Pine Bluff Commercial/I.C. Murrell)
John Proctor, the overall winner of the Pretty in Pink! 5K, poses with Eli Hefner, 11, of Glen Rose, who finished second. (Pine Bluff Commercial/I.C. Murrell)
Pink smoke is emitted from fire extinguishers as the Pretty in Pink! 5K starts from Jefferson Regional Medical Center. (Pine Bluff Commercial/I.C. Murrell)
Michelle Jackson Atkinson, daughter of the late Billie Jean Jackson (framed in background), addresses visitors at the 2K Legacy Walk in Jackson’s memory Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, at Saracen Landing. (Pine Bluff Commercial/I.C. Murrell)
Visitors patronize vendors at Saracen Landing for the 2K Legacy Walk. (Pine Bluff Commercial/I.C. Murrell)