Alaska Run for Women

****Mission Statement**** “To raise money for and awareness of breast cancer and women’s health, and to showcase the talents of Alaska’s women athletes.” This is accomplished through: an annual women’s run/walk event that serves as a vehicle for fundraising, participation, awareness and competition, and grant making to organizations concerned with breast cancer research, education, outreach, prevention and early detection. ****Race History**** The first Alaska Run for Women event was held in 1993 and drew 758 participants. It was started as an alternative to the then 15-year-old Alaska Women’s Run. Read founder Terri Pauls’ **[complete narrative of the RFW’s origins](https://www.akrfw.org/wp-content/uploads/RFWHistoryof1993.pdf).** Now one of the most visible running events in the state, the Run is also one of the largest all-women runs in the country. Organized by a strong group of volunteers – a board of directors and a race committee – the Run generates a unique sense of camaraderie and sisterhood. Competitors include runners and walkers of all ages and abilities, many sporting back tags honoring a loved one who has survived breast cancer or in memory of those who have not. Since 1993, $5.7 million in cash and donated mammograms has been generated by the event – all of which has been distributed to organizations associated with breast cancer. The donated mammograms are given to low-income women through a program administered by a local non-profit. To learn more about the grants program or to review a list of all grant recipients, **[visit our grants page](https://www.akrfw.org/grants).**