Running for a Cause Published Aug. 21, 2013 By Senior Airman Michael Smith 17th Training Wing Public Affairs GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Every year thousands of people participate in 5k runs honorary multitudes of occasions; from raising funds for breast cancer to escaping a horde of zombies. For Goodfellow Airman 1st Class Victoria Gutierrez, 17th Medical Group mental health technician, the occasion to raise awareness for sexual assault and prevention encouraged her to run in the 5k Sexual Assault Prevention and Response color race Aug. 17. More than 100 people participated in the run which involved multiple color stations along the trail where volunteers doused runners in several colors hoping to create energetic atmosphere. "It was fun to see everyone dressed up and having fun," said Gutierrez. "Feeding off of each other's energy helped me push myself." Even though running and getting messy with color seemed like the main objective of the run, the true message to understand is sexual assaults happen, but there are people and support out there the help. The message hit home for Gutierrez because she knows someone who is a victim of sexual assault. "I did it so that any victims that may have participated know that other people are there to support them," she mentioned. "It was great knowing that a lot of people came together for the same cause." For Gutierrez, bringing awareness to sexual assaults and supporting the victims are not just part of her job, but, important to her as a person.
