Hundreds run and walk in 12th annual 'Pound the Pavement to End Cancer' 5K

BANGOR - Hundreds of people pounded the pavement in Bangor Sunday in a color run and walk to end cancer. The 'Pound the Pavement' 5k has been organized for the past 12 years by the Purple Iris Foundation to help low-income Mainers who are battling cancer.

"This has been huge, last year we brought in 24 thousand and I have no idea what we're at this year," said Chris Parrish, Founder of the Purple Iris Foundation.

This is one of the biggest fundraisers for the Purple Iris Foundation. All the money raised goes towards the foundation's cancer relief fund to benefit Mainers dealing with the effects of cancer.

"It does well to get us through the winter and helping those battling cancer with their household needs and stuff, winter time is a very expensive time in Maine so it gears us up for a really busy season," said Parrish.

Volunteers are stationed throughout the course dousing people in colored powder.

Roughly 400 people took part in the race. Each person has a different reason for participating but all have a shared goal.

"We have a lot of friends that have either passed from cancer or either fighting cancer and just wanted to do our part," said first time participant Karen Mayzel.

Many say the event is a great way to spread positivity during times that can be very dark.

"You can tell the number of people here who are here for their family members who have passed and that's really moving and to see the little kids engaged in it too is really fantastic," said another first time participant, Katharine Wellman.

"We want to like I said bring fun to a not so fun thing and we can laugh and cry together but in the end we all end up smiling and hugging and just loving on one another and that's a beautiful thing as well," said Parrish.