JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
Runners pounded the pavement in downtown Jackson Saturday evening to raise money to fight skin cancer.
The ninth annual Run from the Sun 5/k Run/Walk started at 5:30pm when the sun's rays are not as intense.
It benefits the Leonard E. Warren Melanoma Foundation.
Participants started at Congress Street in front of the Clarion Ledger and took a course that went through the downtown streets and ended at its starting point.
Free melanoma skin cancer screenings were given by area doctors before and after the race.
Clarion Ledger Cartoonist Marshall Ramsey, a melanoma cancer survivor, is one of the founders of the event.
He and co-worker Keith Warren started the race.
It is held in honor of Warren's father, Leonard Warren, who died of the disease.
"It was started to create a skin care screening so that people would come and get screened and get the same chance we had and we created the race around it. Nine years in now it's turned into a great evening," said Ramsey.
All proceeds from the race will be used to fund melanoma awareness and medical research.
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