University of Iowa's Relay For Life Ribbon Run 5K

The Ribbon Run 5K is a timed 5K (3.1 mile) race starting and ending at Hubbard Park in Iowa City, IA. Time tracking will be provided by Fitness Sports this year. In-person check-in will open at 9 am on April 26th at Hubbard Park. During this time, all participants will be required to sign a waiver and photo release form. If you have registered online through RunSignUp, you have signed these waivers during the registration process. Those not participating in the timed race will be allowed into the Relay Fest to cheer on the start of the race and hear the Opening Ceremony.

Opening Ceremony begins at 10 am // RACE STARTS at 10:30 am // Relay Fest to follow

We encourage runners to wear comfortable running shoes and t-shirt/sweatshirts pertaining to a cancer awareness ribbon of your choosing! For example, gold is for childhood cancer, pink is for breast cancer, lavender is for all cancer types, etc. There will be water stations and volunteers along the route to assist and cheer you on. Due to construction, this year's race will double-back, please look for directional signs or markers to follow the route. 

What is the Relay Fest? 

Relay Fest is the party at Hubbard Park! We gather together as cancer-fighters and supporters of those fighting cancer in our community. We will have have raffle prizes, games, food vendors, and retail vendors as the race participants join us back at Hubbard Park. We will then have speakers from the American Cancer Society and healthcare field speak on the status of cancer in Iowa and stories from cancer survivors and caregivers. All events attendees are expected to pay the "Relay Fest" admittance fee above unless they will have a 5K wristband.

This year's speakers:

• Jenna Maxson (American Cancer Society Russell & Ann Gerdin Hope Lodge Senior Manager)
• Dr. Jessica Zimmerman (Pediatric Oncologists & former ACS at U'Iowa President)
• Amber Haack (Oncology Nurse)
• Shannon Hunger (Oncology Nurse)
• Courtney Vassilliades (Oncology Social Worker)
• Peggy Kuehn (Cancer Survivor)
• Morgan Szasz (Cancer Survivor)
• Sarah Smith (Caregiver)

This year's vendors:

• The Box Lunch food truck
• Cielo Goods - permanent jewelry & charm station
• Kendra Scott - color bar
• Hydrangea Blooms - make your own bouquet station
• Recess Apparel - women's Hawkeye gear
• Fitness Sports
• Hyper Energy Bar - energy drinks
• DJ Nick Migo

What is "Relay For Life"?

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life brings together passionate supporters who embody the American Cancer Society vision to end cancer as we know it, for everyone. This volunteer-led experience unites communities to celebrate cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost to cancer, and raise funds to improve the lives of people with cancer and their families through advocacy, research, and patient support, to ensure everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. Relay For Life has been hosted by the American Cancer Society at the University of Iowa student organization for more than a decade. Relay For Life has evolved in Iowa City to add competition with the "Ribbon Run 5K".

Follow us on Instagram @ACS.Uiowa for up-to-date event information!

The Ribbon Run & Relay Fest is a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. All proceeds benefit cancer research grants, lodging services for cancer patients like the Russel and Ann Gerdin Hope Lodge in Iowa City, patient programs across the country, and more. To read more about ACS, visit cancer.org.