Komen Race Draws Nearly 3,600 Participants

OCEAN CITY, Md. (AP) -- Despite bad weather and recent bad publicity for the breast cancer charity Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the group's inaugural race in Ocean City drew nearly 3,600 participants.

Breast cancer survivors, their relatives and other supporters gathered on Ocean City's boardwalk just after sunrise Sunday. Many were clad in pink, Komen's signature color.

Two months ago, Komen pulled its funding from the Planned Parenthood organization. Komen then reversed its decision amid a public outcry.

Organizers had expected 3,000 participants for Sunday's race. Komen Maryland spokeswoman Brittany Fowler says the group is "thrilled" to have exceeded its goal. The event raised more than $250,000.

Registration and fundraising for the annual Komen "Race for the Cure" in Hunt Valley have not yet begun. That race attracted about 32,000 people last year.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)