You’re at a work conference, an important one. You just arrived last night, and after a whirlwind afternoon searching for your hotel, hurried nods to semi-remembered LinkedIn connections, and a valiant but doomed effort to reset your inbox, you managed to sleep a little groggy from the time zone change. Suddenly, the alarm clock rings and, half awake, you sense the Byzantine operation of the coffee maker in the room. Only one more thing stands between you and the start of your busy day at the conference: running a 5K.
Such is the dedication of American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Research Corridorswho, in their commitment to raising funds for cancer research, are willing to go the extra mile (or, more precisely, the extra 3.1 miles) at the same time. AACR Annual Meeting 2026the world’s leading cancer research conference. A proud tradition of the Annual Meeting, the AACR Runners for Research 5K Run/Walk 2026 (AACR 5K) aims to raise $250,000 for innovative cancer research projects and, as of this writing, more than $220,000 has been raised.
This year, participants will have the privilege of running along the scenic San Diego Bay boardwalk, and the race will begin, rain or shine, the morning of Saturday, April 18 at 7:30 a.m. Pacific Time. Participants can begin registration at 6:30 a.m. PT at 333 W Harbor Dr., San Diego, and registration will remain open until 7 a.m. the morning of the race. As always, registration for cancer survivors is free.
With 680 registered participants and counting, the event will bring together scientists and laymen, sprinters and walkers, athletes and fans, all coming together to raise funds for cancer research. Even the AACR Board of Directorsbusy with the work of the Annual Assembly, they are joining the action with their own team, The catalysts for the cure. We spoke to some of the runners who will be at this year’s AACR 5K to hear their stories, and we’ll check in with them again live, early and first thing on race morning, as part of Cancer research catalystLive coverage of the 2026 AACR Annual Meeting (stay tuned for live updates beginning Friday, April 17 at www.AACR.org/AACR26BlogUpdates). Here’s what these runners had to say as they prepare to hit the pavement and raise some money.
Broker: Annie WY Chai, PhD
Equipment: Cancer Research Malaysia
Affiliations: AACR Global Scholar-in-Training Awards ProgramMalaysia Cancer Research
This year is Annie WY Chai, PhD’s first time participating in the AACR 5K, although she hopes it won’t be the last. Despite not identifying as a “serious runner” (she joked that she would be happy with anything under an hour), Chai is a fan of charity runs as a way to keep her mind clear for her research work while also supporting good causes. She is also captain of Cancer Research Malaysia’s fundraising team, several of whom not only attend the annual meeting but also run the 5km race, including its scientific director, Cheong Sok Ching, PhD.
“This year is extraordinary for us as it is a record number of delegates that we can send from Cancer Research Malaysia to attend the Annual Meeting,” he said. “This is made possible by the opportunity we had collaborating with the AACR Global Affairs team last year to bring AACR to Campus. outreach programs to Malaysia. …One of the speakers at the event, Dr. Suffian Azizan also won the AACR Global Scholar-in-Training Award 2026 for attending.”
Chai also had a message on behalf of his team: “Some populations are less represented [in cancer research] than they should be, and collaboration between countries and communities is essential to accelerate progress. We are scientists at Cancer Research Malaysia, a non-profit organization that strives to ensure that Asians are not excluded from the fight against cancer. Please consider donating to our team and show your support!
Broker: Subhasree Basu, PhD
Equipment: Johnson & Johnson
Affiliations: Johnson & Johnson
Subhasree Basu, PhD, comes from the industry side of cancer research as a representative of Johnson & Johnson, the largest fundraising team for the 2026 AACR 5K at the time of this writing. 2026 marks her third time on the AACR Runners for Research track, this time as team captain.
Basu generally doesn’t prefer running (she rather likes lifting weights and doing Pilates, she says), but she is motivated by the AACR 5K because of its mission to support cancer research.
“I decided to sign up for the AACR 5K again this year to support the vital work AACR does for cancer patients and clinical trials in cancer research,” she said. “After losing a close friend to breast cancer last year, and another dear friend recently being diagnosed with metastatic triple negative breast cancer, it has become very important for me to truly stand up for my ‘why.’ I am inspired by their bravery, as well as the resilience of countless cancer patients and their families who face this disease every day.”
Basu’s own experiences have informed her throughout her career, which has involved developing oncology drugs through clinical trial projects.
“Cancer has also affected my family: I lost my grandmother to leukemia in her early 40s, a close grandfather to small cell lung cancer, and another family member to ovarian cancer. Growing up, I witnessed firsthand the cost of chemotherapy and the daily struggles that come with it,” she said. “These experiences have profoundly shaped my journey as a cancer discovery scientist at Johnson & Johnson, strengthening my commitment to working tirelessly to bring better, more effective oncology therapies to patients and improve quality of life.”
Broker: Antoni Ribas, MD, PhD, FAACR
Equipment: The catalysts for the cure
Affiliations: AACR, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA)
Former president of the AACR Antoni Ribas, MD, PhD, FAACR—a renowned immunotherapy researcher; professor of medicine, surgery, and medical and molecular pharmacology at UCLA; and editor-in-chief of AACR magazine Research in cancer immunology—It is in its tenth year of AACR 5K, except for the pandemic.
“I try to do [the AACR 5K] “Every year,” he said. “It’s a great celebration of cancer research, with many AACR Annual Meeting participants getting up early in their jogging gear and having a great time in a very different environment from the scientific conference.”
Despite his status as a newly minted sexagenarian, Ribas feels the need for speed, with the goal of finishing the race in less than 25 minutes. And as a regular runner, Ribas sees some overlap between his hobby and his job: “preparing, working hard, staying focused, and not giving up – all great qualities in cancer research and AACR 5K running!”
Runner: Jorge Cruz
Equipment: Miles to Michael
Jorge Cruz of Oxnard, California, will travel more than 180 miles to be in San Diego for the 2026 AACR 5K, where he will run for a cause close to his heart.
“‘Miles for Michael’ was created in honor of my partner, Mike, who bravely fought cancer. Watching him go through his journey was one of the most difficult experiences of my life, but it also showed me what true strength, resilience and love look like,” Cruz said.
Since Mike’s passing, Cruz’s running habit has become a source of healing and connection, she said. “After losing him, I knew I wanted to do something that would keep his memory alive in a meaningful way. Creating this team seemed like the perfect way to turn pain into purpose: take every step, every mile and dedicate it to him,” Cruz said. “Through this team, his name continues to advance, inspiring others and contributing to a cause that could change lives.”
This is Cruz’s first time running the AACR 5K and he said he hopes to join his fellow runners united in a common purpose.
“I signed up for the AACR Runners for Research 5K because cancer has impacted my life in a very personal way. This race is more than just a race for me – it’s an opportunity to honor someone I love, raise awareness, and support the continued fight for better treatments and, one day, a cure,” she said. “Being a part of something that brings people together for such an important cause means a lot to me.”
Broker: Yufei Xu, PhD
Equipment: Astellas Pharmacy
Affiliation: Astellas Pharmacy
Rookie Yufei Xu, PhD, is the Astellas Pharma team captain at this year’s AACR 5K, and when Cancer research catalyst spoke to him, he was the first-place individual fundraiser for the race (although he is now in the still admirable position of raising the fourth-largest individual sum; those who wish to restore him to first place can donate to his page linked above).
Xu said he started running during the pandemic as a way to stay active amid an era of closed gyms. He was new to the sport at the time and at first struggled to finish the 5K without breaks, but he continued to do so, until he went from completing his first 5K to his first 10K and then to a half marathon.
“After completing my first half marathon, I asked myself: Could I run a full marathon? With the help of my friend and coach, I ran my first marathon when I turned 42: 26 miles at age 42. It was incredibly meaningful. Since then, running has become one of my favorite pastimes,” he said.
Xu has even achieved a 21-minute 5K personal best, but says he’ll focus on running alongside his colleagues and stay on mission at this year’s AACR 5K.
“I decided to sign up for the AACR Runners for Research 5K because I wanted to help raise awareness about cancer research and support the AACR through fundraising. As someone who is deeply committed to advancing cancer research in my professional life, participating in this event feels like a meaningful way to contribute beyond the lab and engage with the cancer research community at large,” he said. “I am proud to be part of a community that comes together to raise awareness, support cancer research and help make a difference for patients and families affected by cancer.”
AACR Runners for Research allows associate runners to raise money for cancer research at any race, regardless of whether it is formally affiliated with the AACR. For more information on how to support and/or join AACR Runners for Research, visit their page.