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Dash & Drink for Pink combines cardio and beer to benefit breast cancer foundation
Under most circumstances, cardio and beer aren’t necessarily an ideal combination.
When it comes to promoting breast cancer awareness, however, these two make quite the tag team.
That’s the idea behind the sixth annual Dash & Drink for Pink event, a 5K run and 1 mile walk/run held to benefit the Pink Warrior House Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides support to those fighting breast cancer and their caregivers. After being diagnosed with breast cancer at age 40, Allison Hendricks-Smith founded PWH in January 2019 to help provide a community for those affected by the disease.
“We started with 10 or 12 warriors, and then now we have more than 30 programs in rotation,” Hendricks-Smith said. “We’ve had more than 600 women come through our program in the last six years, and it is the true privilege of my life to get to watch the way that these women show up for each other and how they have their questions answered and how they guide one another, and there’s just so much love.”
The Duke City beer and fitness community is also showing up in force. The Dash & Drink for Pink is a collaborative endeavor put together by Canteen Brewhouse, Steel Bender Brewyard and Elevate: Performance, Health and Wellness. Those who register will receive a pink shirt and “pink” beer of choice after the race. A raffle will be held at the conclusion, with prizes awarded based on bib number instead of order of finish. All proceeds will be donated to PWH.
“Health and wellness go far beyond just exercise and nutrition,” Jay English, Elevate co-founder, said. “We love that this event is a run/walk because it’s something we can all do together — regardless of pace or fitness level. At its core, health and wellness are also about community: supporting others, lifting people up in times of need, and, if you’re fortunate, having someone there to do the same for you. This event brings all of those elements together in a powerful way.”
Canteen general manager Jamie Schwebach expects that as many as 150 people — if not more — will attend this year’s event.
“This event is special just because it is a 5K or a one mile, and anybody can do it,” Schwebach said. “So whether you are somebody who is currently battling breast cancer or somebody who just needs to help fundraise and support, anyone can do it.
“It’s a very approachable event and a welcoming group.”
In addition to funds generated by the Dash & Drink for Pink, both Steel Bender and Canteen will donate $1 from each pint sold of their designated charity beer to PWH throughout the month of October. Steel Bender’s “pink” beer will be a year-round staple — its Raspberry Dynamite sour — while Canteen will release its seasonal Pink Warrior — a guava and prickly pear wheat — on Oct. 1. The Canteen offering will only be available at the brewhouse.
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“We’ve already tried it right out of the fermentor. It’s got a great flavor profile, nice notes of both the guava and the prickly pear, and just a beautiful bright color,” Schwebach said.
The participant demographic is a melting pot of cancer survivors, caretakers and supporters, all of whom are coming together for the same cause.
“The thing that I think is so incredible about this beautiful community is the way these women show up for each other,” Hendricks-Smith said. “This is just another example of that.”
While the battle against cancer is serious business, the Dash & Drink for Pink represents the lighter side of things. And the timing of the event isn’t bad, either.
“This is an invigorating, inspiring and fun evening,” Shelby Chant, Steel Bender co-owner, said. “You’re welcomed across the finish line to live music, beer and food ... this is the evening before the Balloon Fiesta kicks off, so a lot of locals bring their visitors to come out and support. It’s an annual tradition, and a community event we hope continues to grow.”
