On The Run
Jay Kumar
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For most runners, it doesn't get much better than hitting the road on a sunny day. But even going out for a quick three-mile run in the sun can have serious long-term effects on your health if you're not careful.
Melanoma is a treacherous form of skin cancer that can lurk without you realizing it. Wearing a hat and applying sunblock to exposed skin can help prevent melanoma. But when you're in a hurry to get your run in, taking precautions may be the last thing on your mind.
According to the Peabody-based Melanoma Education Foundation (MEF), melanoma is the most prevalent type of cancer among 25-to-29-year-olds and second only to breast cancer among women aged 19-to-39.
As scary as that may sound, if you discover melanoma early, it's easy to cure.
Melanomas may develop from pre-existing moles or start in clear areas of the skin, including areas not exposed to sunlight, according to the MEF.
There are two types of moles, normal and atypical. Normal moles are round or oval-shaped, less than ¼-inch wide, have a uniform color and shade, and have sharp, even borders. An atypical mole usually have one or more of the following properties: Width of ¼-inch or more, irregular shape, two or more shades or colors, fuzzy or notched borders, raised "fried egg" center, or pebbled surface.
The average lifetime risk of melanoma in the white population is about 1 in 50 (the risk is about 20 times lower among African Americans) but may be much higher if you have any of the following risk factors: use of tanning beds; any atypical moles; more than 50 normal moles; light complexion, blonde or red hair, green or hazel eyes; history of any blistering sunburn under the age of 20; personal or family history of any type of skin cancer; and sudden exposure of normally covered skin to strong sunlight.
The MEF recommends seeing a dermatologist or other health care provider immediately if you find: a new mole or suspicious pigmented spot or growth you hadn't noticed before; a change in color, size, shape, border or surface of a mole, freckle, birthmark or other mark; or a mole or other growth that looks different from others on your skin.
To bring attention to this problem, the MEF is holding its third annual 5-mile race/3-mile walk on Sunday, Sept. 26 in Wompatuck State Park in Hingham. The event supports the MEF's skin cancer education curriculum, currently utilized free of charge by over 875 schools throughout New England and beyond. The 5-mile USATF-sanctioned run will begin at 10 a.m. The 3-mile Family & Friends Walk will start at 10:30 a.m. Registration is $20 and begins at 8:30 a.m.
Among the highlights of the day, the Dana Farber Cancer Institute/Blum Family Resource Van will provide sun safety information and free rapid skin exams by a dermatologist and the Melanoma Education Foundation will host a Remembrance and Tribute Display where families may post photos, memories and messages of support.
The Melanoma Education Foundation was founded in 1999 in memory of Dan Fine of Peabody, who died of melanoma in 1998 at the age of 26. Online registration, fundraising pages, and results and photos from 2009 are available at www.mefrace.org. Visit www.skincheck.org for more information about melanoma.
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Starts and stops:
Beverly's five elementary school PTOs are teaming up to host the Fall Frolic 5K on Sunday, Oct. 17 at 9 a.m. The race takes place on the traditional course used by the annual Homecoming 5K at Lynch Park. A fun run for children through grade 5 will be held at 9:30 a.m. Registration is $5 for the 5K (first 100 get free T-shirt) and $2 for the fun run. The event is title sponsored by Beverly Athletic Club. The race will benefit arts and enrichment programs, technology enhancements, curriculum supplements, field trips, and more. All levels of the Beverly Public Schools will be participating, with fitness challenges, principal throwdowns, and teams formed. Visit www.fallfrolic5k.com for more information.
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Tuning up for a fall marathon? Try the Nahant 30K this Sunday. The 18.6-mile event starts at 8:30 a.m. (a special sunshine start is at 7:30 a.m. for those running an 11-minute per mile pace or slower) at the Long Beach Comfort Station on the Nahant Causeway. The event is sponsored by the North Shore Striders. Registration is $34 ($31 online) by tomorrow, and $40 on the day of the race. Visit www.northshorestriders.com/nahant30k for more information and to register online, or call Michael Pelletier of the North Shore Striders at 1-978-744-6906.
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On the Run is a biweekly column about the North Shore running scene. Send any questions, comments, or news to jay.kumar@gmail.com.
Upcoming races
Saturday
*9th Annual International Race for Progeria Research, Peabody City Hall, 24 Lowell St., 9 a.m. Benefit 5K road race and 2 mile fun run/walk to help find the cure for Progeria. Contact: Susan Rosenblatt (The Progeria Research Foundation), at 1-978-535-2594 or e-mail race@progeriaresearch.org.
Sunday
*Coastal 5K Run for the Beach, Lynch Park, 55 Ober St., Beverly, 10 a.m. Benefit for Salem Sound Coastwatch. Contact: Tay (Salem Sound Coastwatch) at 1-978-741-7900 or e-mail ntay_evans@yahoo.com.
Wednesday, Sept. 15 & 22
*Danvers 5K Fun Run, Sweet William's Garden Center, 141 Pine St., Danvers, 7 p.m. Free, timed run. All welcome. These events are part of a weekly 52-race series. E-mail adam@danvers5k.com.
*40th Annual Lynn Woods Summer Cross Country, Great Woods Road, Lynn, 6:30 p.m. Every Wednesday until Sept. 29. Free. Three races (long, short, kids' 1.59-mile run). Contact: Bill Mullen (Lynn Woods Summer XC) at 1-978-535-3905 or e-mail bill@lwrun.org.
Saturday, Sept. 18
*6th Annual Run for the Trails, Devon Glen Farm, 482 Bay Road, Hamilton, 9 a.m. This race is the 4th in the NS Trail series. Contact: Carol Lloyd (Essex County Trails Association) at 1-978-356-5070 or e-mail calloyd@comcast.net.
Sunday, Sept. 19
*Fourth Annual Lone Gull 10K, Good Harbor Beach Foot Bridge, Nautilus Road, Gloucester, 9 a.m. Beautiful seaside course that runs along the Back Shore of Gloucester. Contact: Wesley Lassen (Lone Gull Charitable Trust) at 1-978-922-8870 or e-mail weslassen@yahoo.com.
Visit http://coolrunning.com/eventcal/index.php for more race listings.
