In about 12–hours, the parking lot of the Peoria Metro Centre will be filling up with this year's The Race for the Cure participants. The Komen Peoria Race for the Cure means business.
The Metro Centre's parking lot was bustling Friday, but come Saturday morning it will be crammed full with nearly 18–thousand race participants.
"Numbers look great," said Linda Maricle.
In fact, Linda Maricle, the race chair says the economy hasn't phased the race. "Corporate sponsorships are up which is think is great in this economic downturn we supposedly have."
She says if anything it may have helped, at least in terms of volunteers, including some who lost their jobs and decided to donate their free time.
"We have people who come in daily, to enter data entry and answer phones, it takes a cast of thousands to make this happen."
And the thousands who turn out to race, don't come empty handed
"It's great for business," said Jason Fuller with the Metro Centre.
The 45 businesses in the metro center are preparing not just for Race for the Cure, but also mother's day...
"It is a big weekend for the metro center, everyone gears up, prepares and knows what to expect," said Fuller.
Maricle says there are more late registrations than usual, but like the 24 previous years, Peoria pulled through.
"The community has just been great in their dollars, volunteer time and participation."
Race festivities begin around seven in the morning, that is also when the streets around the Metro Centre will close.
Shuttle services are available from Northwood's Mall, Peoria Stadium and the Kroger at Evergreen Square.
And we want your video and pictures of the race for our YouNews contest. Post your pictures and video and you can win the book "Cancer: here's how You can help Me cope and survive."
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