NIDS Oral Cancer Awareness 5K Run/2K Walk

REGISTRATION: PRE-REGISTER ONLINE

Race Location: Lake County Fair Grounds, Crown Point, IN

Race Day Check-in & Packet pick up starts at: 7:00 AM

Race Starts: 9:00 am Runners / 9:10 am Walkers

Course: This is a closed course with paved and gravel trails.

Can the race be cancelled due to weather?: No, the race will be held rain, snow, or shine.

Late Entry: Any Entry After Midnight, September 12th to Race Day

Late Entry/Same Day Sign Ups: $25

Late Entry/Same Day Sign Ups begin: 7:30AM

Awards: Award Medals and $100 gift card to Gamba Ristorante in Merrillville for top Male and Female finishers overall. Award Medals for top Male and Female finishers in each age category.

Proceeds: The proceeds of this race will benefit Oral Cancer Awareness.

RESULTS: 5K race will be timed using on-the-bib disposable chip timing technology. Full results will be posted at https://www.temporuntiming.com

The 2K walk is non-competitive and will not be timed.

A limited number of shirts will be available for purchase at the event for $15 each.

We will have a DJ, prizes, medals and sponsor giveaways in addition to a cool race shirt.

Oral Cancer: A Silent and Growing Threat

In 2024, approximately 58,500 people in the U.S. will be newly diagnosed with oral cancer. While often considered rare, 145 new cases will be diagnosed every single day—and tragically, one person dies every hour from this disease.

When caught early, oral cancers have an 80–90% survival rate. However, most are not diagnosed until later stages. This isn't because they're always hard to detect—though HPV-related oral cancers do have unique challenges—it’s largely due to a lack of public awareness and the absence of routine opportunistic screenings by healthcare providers.

The Northwest Indiana Dental Society (NIDS) is committed to changing this. One of our key goals is to raise awareness about the symptoms and risk factors of oral cancer and promote early detection through education and community outreach.

Together, we can save lives—early detection matters.