RALEIGH, NC—The 5th annual Friesen 5k, the event created in 2006 to celebrate Hurricanes Head Athletic Trainer/Strength & Conditioning Coach Peter Friesen’s day with the Stanley Cup, will be held Sunday, Sept. 12, at the RBC Center at 9 a.m.  Proceeds from the event will benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Eastern North Carolina.

The Friesen 5k has become a well-known part of kicking off a new hockey season in the Triangle, and it has grown into one of the most prominent demonstrations of the NHL’s support for LLS. Friesen’s leadership, along with several other teams’ support of LLS, has helped to build a partnership between NHL and LLS for this fall’s Hockey Fights Cancer Night. 

“The Friesen 5k continues to grow each year,” said Friesen. “I’m extremely grateful for the continued efforts and generosity of the Caniacs and the local businesses that support the event.”

In the Friesen 5k’s four years, Caniacs and local businesses have helped raise more than $125,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Eastern North Carolina. The funds from the race support cancer research and provide services to patients including support groups, financial aid and a back-to-school program for children with cancer.

“Blood cancers can strike infants to the elderly and everyone in between. Every four minutes someone is diagnosed with a blood cancer and every 10 minutes someone will lose their battle. It’s with funds raised through events like the Friesen 5k that we’re making strides to changes these statistics,” said LLS Executive Director Tiffany Drummond Armstrong.

Returning to this year’s event will be the official times and the team competition. The Friesen 5k will provide runners with an official time, courtesy of Carolina Timing & Events and the latest IPICO Timing System technology. The top three overall timed male and female runners will receive awards, and all timed runners will be eligible for special drawings, including autographed items donated by Hurricanes players. For the younger fans, a 100-Yard Kids Caniac Dash will be held for children 6-years-old and younger, as well as a 200-Yard Kids Caniac Dash for children ages 7-10.

The team that raises the most funs will be the winner of the Team Competition, and will receive a special award from Friesen and the Hurricanes. All teams must designate a captain and have a team name. Funds raised for the event must be turned in before the run.