PROVO -- Late Brigham Young University President Rex E. Lee had at least two passions in his life -- running and finding a cure for cancer.
After Lee, who suffered for a number of years with cancer, died in 1996, the BYU Cancer Research Center and the J. Reuben Clark Law Society decided they would honor Lee by combining those two loves and establishing the Rex E. Lee Memorial Run to raise funds for cancer research.Today marks the third year of the 5K event, which is open to everyone. Registration begins at 8 a.m., and the race takes place at 9 a.m. at the annex of the Smith Fieldhouse.
"It's very exciting and it's becoming a tradition," said Cancer Center director Daniel L. Simmons. "It's been wonderful to watch. It's gratifying to see the response from the studentbody and the community."
Last year, about 1,000 people participated in the run and, as a result, the school collected between $7,000 and $8,000. Simmons says he expects even more participants this year, adding the event is not just for runners. "A lot of people walk," he said.
The entry fee is $15 and includes a T-shirt, refreshments and a number of prize drawings. Winners, divided by age group, will receive medallions while trophies will be awarded to the overall male and female champions.
All proceeds earned from the run are donated to the BYU Cancer Center and are earmarked for research fellowships. In addition to faculty research, Simmons said, the primary goal of the Cancer Center is to offer students a rigorous research training program.
Every year, more than 100 undergraduate and graduate students pursue various aspects of cancer research, including drug development and cancer biochemistry.
Before becoming BYU's president in 1989, Lee was a United States solicitor general and founding dean of the BYU Law School. Lee was an accomplished runner who competed in the Boston Marathon.
Simmons used to run with Lee and says he shares Lee's attitude toward cancer. "This collection of diseases can be conquered," Simmons said.