It’s time to break out the pink and lace up the running shoes this weekend. On Saturday morning, Darleen’s Flamingo 5K will celebrate its 10^th year of raising funds to help local people in their battles against cancer.

The event is named in honor of Smithton resident Darleen Smith, who passed in 2010 after a five-year battle with breast cancer. Honoring her memory, Smith’s family decided they wanted to do something that would support others fighting cancer. That desire, coupled with Smith’s love of bright pink flamingos and her zest for life, gave birth to Darleen’s Flamingo 5K.

In the years since, the event has grown steadily, from a handful of participants in 2010 to more than 200 runners last year. According to Smith’s daughter, Nikki Klapp, the event has also drawn major support from the community as a whole, with local businesses signing on as sponsors and a steady stream of volunteers lending their time to make the event a success.

“The fellowship and the support we have received throughout the years has just been so heartwarming,” Klapp said. “Our family continues to be amazed and so thankful to everybody that supports us in any way possible, from our volunteers to the donations, to the participants who come out and run the race, to all the local businesses that sponsor the race.”

Earlier this year, the Washington-Beaufort County Chamber of Commerce honored the Smith family for the event and the contributions they have made through the 5K. The family was named the 2018 Beaufort County Citizens of the Year. Last year alone, the 5K raised $23,000 for the Shepard Cancer Foundation. All told, that number is $150,000 since the event began.

“We feel like it’s made a huge impact on our community as a whole and making sure that people understand that the Shepard Cancer Center is here in our county and that they want to serve the residents here,” Klapp said. “… We know the value that the Shepard Center brings to our area, so our family encourages people to utilize them as much as possible.”

“The support we receive allows us to care for the whole person, not just the diagnosis, but the whole person in mind, body and spirit,” explained Shepard Cancer Center Manager Camille Jones.

For any event, 10 years is a significant milestone. For the Smith family, the event has become something bigger than they ever imagined a decade ago.

“It’s really kind of mind blowing,” Klapp said. “When we started this 10 years ago, our intent was just to do one race to raise money in honor of my mom, and the support was so overwhelming and everyone was so encouraging and loved the event, so we continued it. Sometimes we can hardly believe it’s 10 years later.”

The starting line for Darleen’s Flamingo 5K is on Hubs Rec Road, just south of Belhaven. Registration will begin at 7 a.m. and last until 8:45 a.m. The race begins at 9 a.m. and is followed by a large community breakfast. The cost to participate is $25. Registration for the event is open online through Thursday at www.flamingo5k.org, and participants can register the morning of, as well.