It's my birthday week and you get all the presents!!

The Cupcake Classic virtual race starts today!  There is still time to register and get in on the fun (here). You can complete your race anytime between today and Sunday, Oct. 23.  Times are due back by 11:00am on Mon, Oct. 24.

Why run The Cupcake Classic?
First and foremost, it's my birthday week!!  I turn 37 on Saturday... and am not blinking an eye about it.  I seriously don't feel that old age.  In fact, since running entered my life, I feel like I'm getting YOUNGER!!  And that, my friends, is a fabulous feeling!

Secondly, it's a chance to score a new PR.  Seriously, have you ever run a 3.7 mile race before?!  Probably not, so here's a chance to PR by just participating!

It's all about having FUN on the RUN.  Get a group of friends to run with you.  Bake cupcakes and splurge on the delicious treats after your run!  (Feel free to sing Happy Birthday to me as you celebrate your run...)  Don't forget to take a fun picture!

Run for a good cause.  Through the Cupcake Classic event, I've managed to raise over $500 for the American Cancer Society, the official sponsor of MORE BIRTHDAYS and LESS CANCER.  On Nov. 5, I run on the ACS's DetermiNation team in Indianapolis to kill cancer.  Thank you so much for your support!  Donations can be made (here).

Now for the good stuff... Run for the PRIZES!!  Below is the collection of prizes that our generous sponsors have donated to the The Cupcake Classic.  You receive 1 entry just for participating, however you can earn bonus entries by submitting photos, eating cupcakes and making a donation to the American Cancer Society.  See complete details (here).  The random-drawing winners will be announced on Tues, Oct. 25.

A pink sparkle skirt from Team Sparkle!  Check out my review of this fine fashion here.

Join this hip new online running club here.  You'll find fun, entertaining, sexy tips in the free newsletter to help you achieve your goals.  Watch this winter... they are bursting onto the market with a new line of active wear for the woman size 8 and up.  Be sure to check out the Training Guides tab on their website (very helpful info).  Local Cupcake racers will all receive a complimentary water bottle from the Sexy Mom's Running Club at the finish line! We'll even save a couple for the virtual racers too!  Join SMRC today to receive the free gift of a 60-day Journal!

How adorable are these "will run for cupcakes" necklaces?  Jessica's Gifts was nice to donate two - one for the local race and one for the virtual race.  Check out the Jessica's Gifts website for a large assortment of runner's jewelry, including items for the tri-athlete.  Super, super cute stuff!!

Stock up on some GU energy gels for your winter long runs!  And not just any flavor... how about Chocolate Raspberry?!?!  What woman doesn't like chocolate?  GU is my mid-run fuel of choice when I'm training for a half or full marathon.  Check the full array of flavors available here.

My favorite pair of runner's sunglasses... Ryders Eyewear Hex!  Check out my review of these glasses here from a previous post this past spring.  These are the best pair of sunglasses for running ever!!  I even wear them in winter to protect my eyes from the wind and cold.

The Quad Cities Marathon, home of my first marathon (race recap here), has also sent a generous supply of gear that will be split up between the Cupcake's local and virtual races as prizes.  The QCM is a great racing event along the borders of Illinois and Iowa with the beauty of the Mississippi River always in sight.

I rarely ever run without a BondiBand on my head, and now you can try one out too!  I've got an assortment of BondiBand headbands for the Cupcake winners.  Check out my review of BondiBand products (here) from this past spring.  They are truly fantastic!!  No slip, no drip!

The folks at Build-A-Sign were generous enough to donate a huge supply of Cupcake bumper stickers to the event!  Everyone who ordered one of the official Cupcake shirts got a surprise in their delivery... a free bumper sticker as a thank you for helping me raise funds for the American Cancer Society.  Check out Build-A-Sign's website, where you can design your own bumper stickers online!!

It's getting cold out there... so you're gonna want these essentials from Pearl Izumi.  The moisture-wicking hat in bright pink will keep your head warm.  Have you tried out arm warmers yet?  These are great for the versatile seasons of spring/fall when it's cold at the start of your run.  As you warm up mid-run, they are so easy to roll down to your wrists.  Pearl Izumi has top of the line active gear for the runner, cyclist or tri-athlete.  You simply can't go wrong with a Pearl Izumi product!

If you're making the trip to East Peoria this Saturday morning to run the local race with me (details here), there are even more prizes and goodies in store for you... how about a new pair of Saucony running shoes?!?!  or an upgraded overnight stay at the Mark Twain hotel with drinks & breakfast included?!?!   And of course my fantastic homemade finisher's medals!

Holy crap!  That's a lot of cool prizes, huh?

Sign up to run The Cupcake Classic virtual race {here}.

I'll email you the race bib right away!

Earn extra entries into the prize drawing by making a donation

to DetermiNation-American Cancer Society {here}

  Donations need to be made by October 24 in order to be entered into prize drawing.