18th Annual Scare Brain Cancer Away 5K Run/Walk

Event Overview

Join us for the 18th Annual Scare Brain Cancer Away 5K Run/Walk AND 1.5 Mile Walk.

Event Details

• When: October 31, 2026
• Time: 9:00am (Walk slightly after the Runners go off)
• Where: East Rochester High School Start/Finish, running through the streets of East Rochester
• Cost: $35.00 5K Run/Walk
  USATF Members get discount taken off at checkout

Post-Race Celebration

• T-shirt: We will be offering our t-shirt.
• Post Race Party: Enjoy a post race party.
• Awards: Post race awards to the top 3 in each age group (5 year age groups).
• Overall Finishers: Top Overall (1st, 2nd, 3rd Overall) finishers receive $50, 2nd $40, 3rd $30. Top Masters $30.

Important Dates

• Shirt Guarantee: Cutoff to guarantee a shirt on race day is October 1.
• Packet Pickup:
  • Friday, October 30th 12p - 6p at Rochester Running Company on Mt. Hope Ave
  • Race morning 7:30a - 8:45a at the School
• Race Day Registration: Race day registration is available!

2026 Race Recipient

Michael Flanigan is 68 years old and the loving husband of Terry for 38 years. He is a devoted father to his two sons, Michael and Thomas, a proud father-in-law to Carly, and a cherished grandfather to his two granddaughters, Avery, age 12, and Courtland, age 3. Mike earned his master’s degree from Syracuse University and spent his career as an environmental scientist with Stantec before retiring in 2022. He is a devoted East Rochester resident who gave back to his community through 12 years of service on the village board as a trustee and deputy mayor, as well as serving on the Housing Authority and Board of Assessment Review. An avid runner, Mike has participated in this very race several times over the years. A true family man, Mike is known for being kind, honest, loyal, funny, and incredibly social—simply put, one of the best people you could ever meet. In February 2025, Mike was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma and has undergone chemotherapy, facing several hospitalizations along the way with strength and resilience.

Community Support

During his tenure in service to the Village of East Rochester as a past Trustee and Deputy Mayor, Mike has been instrumental in advocating for the village to provide Public Safety and Highway Department staff at no cost to the charity for this and all of the 5Ks that have taken place over the past 17 years.

Honor and Proceeds

Today, we honor Mike—not only for the challenges he continues to face, but for the life he’s built, the love he shares with his family and community, and the determination that reflects the spirit of this race.

Proceeds: Proceeds of the race will be split between Mike and Wilmot Cancer Center Needs Fund.

More Information

For more details, visit the race page: Scare Brain Cancer Away 5K Run/Walk.