ATHENS, Ohio (WTAP) - Thriving Beyond Breast Cancer held its last 5K race in the 2025 series Saturday morning, Sept. 20.

The series mission was to provide support to the breast cancer community, according to the 5K For Thrive director Stephanie Plant.

Plant said the last race turned out great.

"We had a great time," said Plant. "A lot of people have come together for this race, maybe they have story, maybe they've had somebody that's been impacted by breast cancer and so there's typically a why someone comes to these races and then also too, there's just a great community of runners that have come and support this as well."

The founders of Thriving Beyond Breast Cancer, Bess Hagans and Kate Hardy started the organization to help young women get through cancer treatments.

Hagans said she loves seeing the support people have, especially during events like the 5K race.

"It means the world to me, as a cancer survivor, obviously, I started this organization but just in general, resources are pretty scarce for this demographic," said Hagans. "Young women are getting breast cancer at unprecedented rates, almost 2% year after year, it's a really scary statistic and people need to know that they should know they're normal and check their breast and make sure they're getting themselves checked."

Both Hagans and Hardy said the race turned out awesome and they had fun.

Frances Wymbs, who placed overall 1st female runner, came to support the 5K For Thrive race because she has friends affected by breast cancer.

"I think it's super important for the community building aspect and I also think it's important because dollars spent for this community is super important, whether it's for breast cancer research or whether it's for building up resources for those who've been affected by breast cancer," said Wymbs. "If I can funnel that money into those causes for this group, then it's going to be a good use of funds."

Barbara Cline placed 1st in the female 50-59 category and she walked in the race because she is a seven-year breast cancer survivor, she said she received support during her cancer journey, and she is now taking the opportunity to support other people.

Cline said she appreciates that there are organizations like Thriving Beyond Breast Cancer because it helps impact so many people.

"I was listening to music that has inspired me throughout the time and as I watched people in front of me and behind me," said Cline. "Just knowing that we're all in this journey at different paces, and it kind of brought me to tears at times."

Plant said her favorite part of the 5K race was having the community there to support and show breast cancer awareness.

"The community, the people, just being able to watch some of these people come in and do a 5K and just to have that success that they're completed something," said Plant. "We had breast cancer survivors out here today, Thriving Beyond Breast Cancer is here and it's just a nice community and I always have a good time here."

Support Thriving Beyond Breast Cancer, all proceeds go to young women impacted by breast cancer, according to Hagans.