CREDIT: RUNFORTHECURELONDON.WORDPRESS.COM
The starting line of last year's run, which raised just under $1 million.

Lace up for a great cause! The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation is gearing up for their 18th annual Run for the Cure.

The 5 km run will begin at 10 a.m. on September 30 in Victoria Park. Runners will make their way through downtown, travelling along Queen Street, Wharncliffe Road and Blackfriars Street before coming back down Talbot to end at the Park. CIBC Run for the Cure also has a 1 km run that will begin at 10:15 a.m. on the same day.

Katherine McIntyre, media coordinator for CIBC Run for the Cure, said that the organization is hoping to raise $1 million this year through various events. Leading up to the race, CIBC Run for the Cure held a number of events during their Pink Week in June, including pinked-out pooches at Pink Your Pup, pinked-up local businesses at Paint It Pink and lots of sweet pink treats at a strawberry social.

CIBC Run for the Cure hit their $1 million goal in 2010, but fell just a bit short last year. So far this year, the top fundraising team, The Athletic Club Team Leanne, has donated over $15,000 for the cause.

Event organizers are always looking for a helping hand, and volunteers are always welcome for a number of positions. A volunteer must commit to at least four hours of work, and no experience is required.

CIBC Run for the Cure is holding a number of contests for online fundraisers, including a special challenge for post-secondary students with a $2,500 prize — check out the website for details. For more information, to register for the run or to donate to a great cause, head to www.runforthecure.com.