More than 220 people, including many cancer patients and cancer survivors, took part in Rapides Cancer Center’s first Colors of Courage 5K run/walk on Friday night, April 8.

Final registration numbers exceeded 250.

All proceeds from Colors of Courage – more than $5,500 – are being donated to the American Cancer Society in its fight to find a cure for cancer, as well as to help cancer patients in Central Louisiana.

The name Colors of Courage refers to the various forms of cancer and the color associated with each. In addition, Friday’s participants were showered with colored power made of food-grade corn starch at the start of the race, each mile marker and near the finish line.

Evan Griffith was the first to cross the finish line in a time of 20:56.2 minutes. Teenager Logan Cheek was second in 23:06.1 and 10-year-old Tyler Alford third in 23:40.1.

The first female to finish was Macaila Bell in 26:11.4. Finishing second in the female division was Macy Lejeune in 27:39.6 followed by Felicia Schindler in 28:35.6.

Rapides Cancer Center wishes to thank several organizations for their assistance in making Friday’s even successful:

Sponsors – Adams Pest Control, Aggressive Health Solutions, Baldridge Lowline Angus, Foti Nuclear Pharmacy, Glass Specialties, Louisiana Promotions, Rapides Urgent Care, Sodexo and Acadian Ambulance.

Volunteers – Faith Baptist Church in Tioga, Pineville High School Anchor Club, Grace Christian School, Holy Savior Menard Beta Club and American Cancer Society.

Special thanks to the City of Alexandria and the Alexandria Police Department for their help in escorting the runners and walkers along the route.

For photos from the 2016 Colors of Courage, check out Rapides Regional Medical Center’s Facebook page. Also, be on the lookout for the date of the 2017 Rapides Cancer Center Colors of Courage 5K run/walk.