Organizers for the Scope It Out 5K Run/Walk for Colon Cancer Awareness announced today--a week in advance of the March 19 inaugural event--that the race has reached capacity and registration is now closed. There will be no race day registration. Family and friends of runners and walkers and others who support the cause are, however, encouraged to come out and cheer. The 5K, held during National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month*, is one of the largest first-time races in the D.C. area.

"We are thrilled that registration for this inaugural event has been so popular. We are also grateful to our premier sponsors Clark Realty and Comcast for helping in this effort to raise colon cancer awareness," said Race Director Charlotte Kraenzle. "We plan to move the race location next year to accommodate more participants."

The Scope It Out 5K will hold packet pickup for registered runners and walkers on Friday, March 18 at Pacers in Clarendon. Race participants can pick up their t-shirts, bib numbers, ChampionChips and goodie bags at the store between 12-2 or 4-8 p.m. Pacers is located at 3100 Clarendon Boulevard, Arlington, Va. 22201. For directions to the store, please visit the store Web site or call (703) 248-6883. Participants can also pick up packets on the morning of the race as early as 7 a.m. before the 8 a.m. start time.

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths for men and women (combined) in the United States. Yet if detected early, the five-year survival rate for men and women with colon cancer is greater than 90%. The earlier the cancer is caught, the more curable it is. Colon cancer affects women, men, and people of all ethnic backgrounds equally.

"As many as 80% of the 150,000 annual cases of colon cancer could be prevented if only the colonoscopy were as commonly utilized as the mammogram and Pap smear," said Dr. John Marshall, director of developmental therapeutics and GI oncology and associate professor of oncology at Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center. Dr. Marshall will be speaking during the Scope It Out 5K award ceremony.

Colon cancer often has no symptoms, and only 10% of the cases are hereditary, which is why screening is so important. Although colorectal cancer can strike at any age, more than 9 in 10 new cases are in people ages 50 or older.

Race Director Charlotte Kraenzle knows the impact that colon cancer can have on a family. She lost her father, Charles A. Kraenzle, to the disease on August 14, 2002, at the age of 61, after a marathon battle with the illness. Charles had no symptoms until a tumor blocked most of his colon and caused him pain; his Stage IV diagnosis meant the cancer had already metastasized to his liver.

The Scope It Out 5K Run/Walk participants will receive Buddy Bracelets, similar to the Lance Armstrong "Live Strong" bands - except Cornflower Blue--the designated color for colorectal cancer. Net race proceeds donated to the Charles A. Kraenzle Colon Cancer Foundation will be given to the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation, Colon Cancer Alliance, and National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance for colon cancer research and further colon cancer awareness work.

Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three male and female finishers in the following amounts: $500 for first place, $250 for second place, and $100 for third place. Other prizes will be given to top finishers in the following age groups: 19 & under, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, and 80 & over. The post-race awards ceremony begins at 9 a.m.

* National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month began when the Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, the Foundation for Digestive Health and Nutrition and the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable joined forces to bring critical messages about colorectal cancer to the American people. These founding partners have joined with 51 collaborating partners to educate about colorectal cancer year-round, focusing their energies and resources on the annual awareness campaign that takes place each March. All across the nation, organizations sponsor activities to bring the public information about colorectal cancer.

To register for the race or get more information, visit the race website at www.scopeitout5k.com or E-Mail.