2019 Philadelphia 3-Day Wrap-Up

Over the weekend, hundreds of walkers, Crew and supporters gathered to celebrate the Susan G. Komen Philadelphia 3-Day. We were so honored to return to the East Coast, especially during Breast Cancer Awareness Month to bring more awareness to our mission, and the whole Philadelphia community came out in support of this goal.

Our weekend began inside the Grand Ballroom at Hilton Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing, where hundreds gathered, ready to take on the fight against breast cancer. The sun rose as our Opening Ceremony kicked off with speeches from our local participants, as well as our Bank of America partners. Then, our local survivors and those living with metastatic breast cancer led our walkers out into the fall morning.

We had perfect, cool fall walking weather for our first day, which began with walks through Penn’s Landing and Rittenhouse Square. Our first pit stop was at the beautiful Penn Park, marking 3.3 miles down already for the weekend.

The Please Touch Museum was a beautiful landscape for pit stop 2, and then we made our way over the Concourse Lake Trail in the afternoon. After a quick stop at the Rodin Museum Grounds, walkers arrived back home at our hotel camp! We enjoyed 3-Day BINGO, the Bank of America massage chairs, and comfy cozy beds to end Day One on a high note.

Day Two dawned bright and cool again, for another gorgeous day of walking. Right off the bat, walkers passed the Liberty Bell, and then at the first pit stop, our Philadelphia 3-Dayers ran the Rocky Steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Arms raised in the fall sunshine, they celebrated the first of many exciting moments during the day.

The celebrating continued at lunch, thanks to our new Halfway Celebration. We danced, took photos, and relaxed after 30 miles well-walked. Mark especially had a ball leading everyone in the 3-Day flash mob.

In the afternoon, we continued our walk throughout downtown Philadelphia, making everyone’s favorite stop at the Philadelphia Zoo. Giraffes, flamingos, zebras, eagles and more all came out to cheer on the Philadelphia 3-Day! Soon after, walkers again arrived home at our host hotel.

On Saturday night, we hosted an emotional Honor Ceremony, recognizing the loved ones we walk for, as well as honoring the last 15 years of the Philadelphia 3-Day. Everyone ended the night with joy and a new purpose. Philly was all ready for Day Three!

Sunday started off beautiful, with a walk down the historic Elfreth’s Alley to start our morning. Walkers loved snapping photos and taking in the history of this famous street! The photo ops continued after the first pit stop, when we went down Cheesesteak Avenue, and everyone had to pick a side: Pat’s or Geno’s. The walkers remain divided on their cheesesteak choice but united in their goal to finish Day Three!

The rain held off until lunch, but even a little liquid sunshine couldn’t stop these amazing walkers! They passed through Rittenhouse Square and the beautiful 30th Street Station before entering University of Pennsylvania’s campus at the end of their journey.

Our Closing Ceremony was held at Shoemaker Green on the Lawn at Penn for the first time, and despite the rainy weather, it was still a picturesque and wonderful spot to celebrate 60 miles! Walkers crossed the finish line with smiles and hugs all around.

The Closing Ceremony was jam packed with friends and family waiting to celebrate our courageous walkers and crew. Together, we raised $1.7 million toward the fight to end breast cancer. Philadelphia, thank you. We are so honored and grateful for everything you have done for our 3-Day family over the years.

2018 Susan G. Komen Twin Cities 3-Day Recap

On Friday morning, a crowd of people adorned in pink gathered at the Southdale Center in Edina, ready to kick off the Twin Cities 3-Day.

After an inspiring opening ceremony, the parade of pink headed out on the route.

Our first pit stop was at mile 3.1 at Utley Park, where walkers rehydrated and grabbed some snacks for the remaining miles of the day. The weather was balmy with a light breeze, and the sun was shining. We headed onwards around the beautiful Lake Harriet, enjoying public cheer stations where spectators passed out treats, and posed for pictures by the scenic bandshell. From there we walked on towards the fiesta (also known as lunch) at mile 11.8 in Loring Park, first passing by the famous Minnesota Sculpture Garden with the iconic cherry on the spoon.

As we enjoyed “Cactus Water” (just water with a cute name), our festive crew donned sombreros and rattled maracas. There was no shortage of photo opportunities as we ate our salads and sandwiches, enjoying the downtown feel before we headed onwards.

We were treated to a stunning view of downtown Minneapolis, and again, we pulled out the camera as we walked through Father Hennepin Bluffs Park and cheering stations at B.F. Nelson Park.

From there we strolled into more Pit Stops, enjoying the Crew’s clever themes and encouraging smiles. Pit Stop 3 was at Chute Square, near the historic 1848 Godfrey house, the oldest frame house still standing in Minneapolis.

 

With just a few miles left in the day, we walked into mile 19.2, where busses were waiting to whisk us back to 3-Day camp, where Bank of America massage chairs, dinner, and cozy pink tents awaited us. We awarded top fundraisers , got to know some of our fellow participants, and then laid our heads down for sweet dreams of Day 2.

 

Day two started with a brilliant pink and orange sunrise. We fueled up on delicious danishes, blintzes, bacon, and eggs, and then began our first steps heading out into White Bear Lake. We walked through beautiful shaded neighborhoods, and then into Pit Stop 1 at White Bear Arena. Pit Stop 2 was set at Lions Park against a beautiful lake where our Camp Minnetata was set up, complete with the pink SS Minnetata boat, water skiing, and knee boarding for walkers to pose with.

After Pit Stop 2, we were treated to the adorable downtown and harbor views of White Bear Lake, where local businesses came out to support us, including free strawberry ice cream for all walkers.

The ice cream helped us put a spring in our step as we charged on toward Railroad and Podvin Parks, and then into lunch at the Calvary Church parking lot, where we were treated to an awesome drum performance by the Women’s Drum Center.

 

After lunch we worked our way through Vadnais Heights and Little Canada, finally, winding up in Maplewood where we walked home to camp.

We heard from inspiring survivor Catherine, got to meet the Youth Corps, and then finished off the day with a 3-Day Dance Party before saying “Nighty Night” to 3-Day Camp.

Before we knew it, Day 3 was fast upon us and we were grateful it was the shortest day, because the sun was shining extra strong for we triumphant 3-Dayers. We started in North St Paul at Casey Lake Park and then through Northwood Park before ending up at Pit Stop 2 at the Maplewood Middle School. Then, it was onwards toward Beaver Lake Park, and then lunch at the Conway Recreation Center, where walkers decided to shake off some soreness with extra stretching and playground fun.

Three miles out of lunch we ended up in the fan-favorite part of the Twin Cities 3-Day, Indian Mounds Park. As we walked through the beautiful green park and admired the historic mounds, we posed for pictures against the striking skyline.

The humidity joined us the whole day, but when we walked under the pink arch at Harriet Island, the feeling of victory and pride took over.

As we danced and welcomed our last walker home into the Closing Ceremony area, we lined up, marched into the Closing Ceremony, and held our shoes up high in solidarity for our incredible survivors. Megan from Komen Minnesota shared with us how the $1m dollars raised are making a difference in our community, and then, we watched as the tribute flag was passed onwards to be carried to Seattle.

Thank you to everyone who was a part of this unforgettable weekend in Twin Cities — from the determined walkers, to the hard-working crew, to the donors, the volunteers, and the spectators. Thanks to you, we’re now 3 days and 60 miles closer to the end of breast cancer forever.

Want to see photos from the weekend? Click here now! (Note: You do not need a Facebook account to view and download the photos.)

Join us in 2019. Sign up now! 

 

 

2017 San Diego 3-Day Round-Up

IMG_1895

The 3-Day headed south for our final event of the year, and was welcomed to California and the West Coast with open arms! We started our Friday morning with a little liquid sunshine, followed by an amazing double rainbow, as the Opening Ceremony began. Our 2,200 walkers and 325 crew started their journey with an inspiring and emotional Opening Ceremony led by local participants.

IMG_2164.JPG

The walkers filed out of the iconic Del Mar Fairgrounds and into the community, where they were greeted by tons of local cheering stations and support. By Mile 3, they also passed the famous “Toast Lady,” one of our favorite walker stalkers, who toasted all the walkers as they passed.

IMG_1968.JPG

Then they conquered the Torrey Pines Hill, our biggest hill of the weekend! They were greeted at the bottom by more cheers, and an amazing view of the California coastline. By the time they reached Pit Two at the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, walkers had already conquered 5.1 miles.

IMG_1963.JPG

Walkers made their way through the University of Southern California, San Diego campus in the afternoon and lunched at Kellogg Park along the beach.

There were more cheering stations and smiles throughout the end of Day One, before walkers headed home to camp at Crown Point Shores Park.

IMG_1976.JPG

Day Two started with a walk along the water just outside of camp, and another hill in downtown San Diego. Walkers reached the top with smiles on their faces though, because they had already clocked 4 miles on the day.

IMG_2046.JPG

Before lunch, they stopped at Pit 3 at Dog Beach South, and our walkers loved seeing all the four-legged 3-Day fans. Then, they took a break at lunch on our comfy pink Mohawk Mats and kept loose by dancing with the San Diego Police Department.

We also met our amazing Youth Corps at lunch, and walkers were greeted with hundreds of pink blooms as they left lunch.

IMG_2148

From there, they traveled through Bonita Cove and South Mission Beach Park before coming back home to camp. It was Friends & Family night at camp, complete with an evening dance party! Many of our walkers also visited our Remembrance Tents to honor loved ones lost.

IMG_1979

Day Three started with a quick 4.4 miles before arriving at Pit Stop 1 at De Anza Cove Park. From there, walkers wound their way through the picturesque San Diego neighborhoods and climbed the infamous San Juan Street Hill for amazing city views.

The second half of the day passed quickly, with stops at Balboa Park before coming to a close at Waterfront Park along the bay. Walkers celebrated with hugs, smiles and dancing as they completed their 60-mile journey.

IMG_2178

After all of our walkers crossed our beautiful pink finish line, we celebrated together at Closing Ceremony. As the sun set on our 3-Day season, there was much to be proud of, given that our amazing 2,200 walkers and 325 crew members raised $6.5 million this weekend!

Our journey is never truly done, though, as was evidenced throughout our closing ceremony. We are all still working, and walking, towards Susan G. Komen’s Bold Goal to reduce the nation’s 40,000 breast cancer deaths by 50 percent by 2026.

IMG_2216.JPG

As we hugged and celebrated and danced together, one message rang loud and clear; that though our feet may ache, our spirit and dedication will live forever; through aches, and pain, and blisters. We are shouting loudly and proudly that in this fight, where we seek to live in a world free of breast cancer, WE WILL NEVER GIVE UP. Thank you, San Diego. We are so very proud of each and every one of you.

If you’re ready to be a part of this incredible journey again in 2018, sign up now at The3Day.org/Register.

IMG_2104.JPG