Ready, Set, Start Your Undies

If you see people hoofing it near Cheney Stadium in their whitey tidies Aug. 20, don't be too alarmed.

They are supposed to do that. At least that day.

The second-annual Undy 5000 5K is returning to Tacoma to help increase awareness about colon cancer. The event - scheduled for 9 a.m., Aug 20 at Cheney Stadium — is intended to help increase awareness of colon cancer, the second-leading cause of cancer death in the United States.

The Colon Cancer Alliance (CCA), a national patient advocacy organization dedicated to ending the suffering caused by colon cancer, will host the event. Throughout the year, the 5K takes place in different cities across the country. The goal of each event is to educate the public about colon cancer, promote screenings and get people talking about the disease.

It also generates money to support and build the CCA’s national and local patient support and innovative public awareness programs.

So if you're up for it, give it a try. And don't forget your underwear.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Tacoma Undy 5000 5K run/walk

WHEN: 9 a.m., Aug. 20.

WHERE: Cheney Stadium-Home of the Tacoma Rainiers, 2501 South Tyler Street, Tacoma

WHAT ELSE:

A person dies of colon cancer every 10 minutes. According to the American Cancer, almost 142,000 new cases of colon cancer will be diagnosed, and almost 50,000 deaths are expected in this year. The Undy 5000 5K highlights the importance of timely colon cancer screening and provides valuable information for those already affected by the disease.

Although many people may consider colon cancer an embarrassing topic of conversation, this is one talk that could save a life. In fact, through recommended screening, this cancer can be caught early when treatment is most effective — or even prevented altogether when pre-cancerous polyps are detected and removed. Talking with your doctor about colon cancer is essential to ensuring optimal screening, prevention and early detection, and treatment.

FOR MORE INFO: Visit www.undy5000.org