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Thousands race for the cure in Balboa Park

More than 15,000 runners are expected in Balboa Park on Sunday for the 21st annual Susan G. Komen San Diego Race for the Cure.

SAN DIEGO (CNS) - There was a sea of pink in Balboa Park on Sunday morning all for a good cause.

Thousands of San Diegans joined KFMB Stations and Susan G. Komen in the fight against breast cancer- including many survivors.

Downhill and uphill, many trekked in tutus and moved to the beat of drums for the 21st annual Susan G. Komen San Diego Race for the Cure.

Many racers shared stories that hit home for emcee News 8's Barbara Lee edwards.

"This cause is very personal for me as a daughter, a wife, a mother,” said Barbara Lee.

First year Komen San Diego President Shaina Gross notes the surge in survivors.

“In the last 35 years, the survivor rates have increased from 74 percent to 99 percent for early-stage cancer,” she said. 

Christine Trimble triumphed as the 2017 honorary survivor after having stage 3 breast cancer.

She put together her "Pretty in Pink” team to walk.

"Feeling very strong and healthy and and now want to help others get to the other side of their journey,” said Christine. 

RELATED: Photos of Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure

Despite the misty weather, all those walking Sunday finished strong.

And it was victorious day for 5-year breast cancer survivor Nancy Graham.

"It's very emotional, every year I look forward to it and bring a team of people,” she said. “We will do this the rest of my life."

More than just making the finish line, we know that the journey continues on for many fighting breast cancer. 

The event raises funds for Komen's breast cancer programs, including mammography, financial assistance to patients and meal delivery.

According to Komen, six women a day are diagnosed with breast cancer in San Diego and one dies daily from the disease.

Many of the organization's programs, such as free mammograms for low-income women, are aimed at finding the disease as soon as possible.

Some of the footage in this video story was shot using a GoPro camera. 

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