April 29, 2026

This piece is sponsored by Avera Health.

Now looking to their 38th annual event May 9, Avera Race Against Cancer organizers expect once again to see record or near-record numbers for both participation and fundraising.

“We never take that for granted. Yet after 38 years, people recognize the Race as a community event, so when the Saturday before Mother’s Day rolls around, they think, oh, it’s Race weekend. A lot of our signups each year are based on the excitement and inspiration people have experienced or heard about from past events,” said Reid Jensen, director of annual giving for the Avera Foundation.

Registrations are ahead of last year for this point in time before the Race.

“We’re anticipating we could surpass 7,500 participants. Who would have ever thought that an event that’s 38 years old would have growing pains?” Jensen said. For event organizers, as the date approaches, “It’s chaos but it’s a good kind of chaos.”

The Avera Race is one of the few large events of its kind that offers “week of” and “same day” registrations. “We’ve been doing that for 37 years and will continue to do that,” said Elijah Bonde, community giving manager for the Avera Foundation.

“We always print more T-shirts than we think we’ll need, yet we often run out. That’s a great problem to have. That’s why we recommend that people sign up early.”

“The Avera Race has surpassed expectations in terms of an event life cycle,” Jensen said. It’s common for events to stay strong for 10 or even 20 years, but then excitement starts to wane.

Race organizers continue to be amazed by the growing and staying power this event brings to help cancer patients.

One key to success for the Avera Race has been flexibility. In its earlier years, beginning in 1988, it was known as the Avera Race Against Breast Cancer. “In 2019, we acted upon a growing sentiment that all cancer survivors deserve recognition. So for year 31, we pivoted from all pink to all colors,” Bonde said.

In 2020, the Race was held virtually only because of the COVID pandemic.

Most recently, Race events have been extended to other regional hub cities for Avera, including Aberdeen, Mitchell, Pierre and Yankton in South Dakota and Marshall, Minnesota.

“Let’s Run This Town” has been the Race theme for advertising, billboards and T-shirts for several years. “It’s not that we won’t ever change it, but it has gained strong brand recognition,” Bonde said. “Each year, the T-shirts are a bit different. It’s fun to unveil them and see the interest that people have in the latest design.”

The McGreevy Clinics team has participated in the Race for over 30 years, said Jayna Boeve, a mammography quality control technologist at Avera primary care clinics in Sioux Falls. “There are numerous Avera teams, so this name helps distinguish us from the rest of the Avera clinics and hospital.”

The McGreevy Clinics team typically has 50 to 75 participants each year, some taking part in the run and some in the walk.

“Our mammography department originally started the team when the event was focused on breast cancer. When it later expanded to support all cancer types, we continued building and supporting the team each year,” Boeve said.

“Cancer touches so many lives — including our patients, employees, friends and family members. As healthcare workers, it’s especially meaningful for us to stand alongside our patients outside the clinical setting and show our support in a visible, unified way. It’s become a tradition that brings our team together for a cause that truly matters.”

Funds support numerous projects, one of which is the Avera Cancer Institute Navigation Center, a round-the-clock source of comfort and support to anyone whose life has been touched by cancer. This 24/7 call center is offered across the Avera system.

Proceeds also go toward lodging or transportation assistance for individuals or families, screening and early detection, genetic testing, specialized equipment and comfort items, wigs for cancer patients, complementary therapies like massages and Arts in Healing, special events like Cancer Survivors Day, grief support for families and more. All dollars benefit patients and families locally.

The Race has so many different facets that keep bringing people back. “Many are running enthusiasts who appreciate the chip-timed 5K and 10K races, with awards to top finishers,” Bonde said. Others enjoy getting out for a healthy 1.5- or 3-mile walk on a spring day.

It’s a powerful community moment when people come together to do good for a cause that matters. And for most, the Race is deeply personal. Foundation statistics reveal that 90 percent of participants are not cancer survivors themselves — they show up for someone they love who is facing or has faced cancer.

People can participate at several levels — as a runner, walker or sideline supporter. They can take part as an individual or join a team. There’s even an option to take part virtually. “We’ve also gained strong support from individual and corporate sponsors,” Bonde said. Sioux Falls Ford is the title sponsor for the 2026 event.

“There’s a lot of fun as teams show their spirit. But there’s also inspiration as we recognize survivors and remember those who are no longer with us,” Jensen said. “We see a lot of smiles and hugs but also a few tears.”

Learn more at AveraRace.org.