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OTTUMWA, IOWA -- Heartland residents are getting ready to tie their running shoes for Saturdays Race for the Cure.

Preparations were underway Friday at the Greater Ottumwa Park; including booths being set up as well as the Jimmy Jones Shelter being cleaned out and ready for all of the action Saturday.

The 15th annual Susan G. Komen Race begins at 8 a.m. with a one mile walk. The 5k run starts at 9 a.m., followed by a kids fun run and an awards ceremony afterward. Organizers are expecting crowds of nearly 3,000 people.

This years Honorary Survivor Gayla Harrison says the race means so much to people fighting breast cancer.

"When you think about breast cancer, 1 in 8 women will get breast cancer in their lifetime. Men also get breast cancer but women are much more likely to. Its a very important thing for us to either continue to work on treatment options or come up with a cure for that disease."

75% of the proceeds will be used for local research; the other 25% will go to worldwide research.

Its not too late to register. The deadline is 8 a.m. Saturday. Visit http://www.komensoutheastiowa.org/