'Support the boobs, drink the beer'

SANDPOINT — What better way to kick off Breast Cancer Awareness Month than with a combination of boobs and beer?

On Oct. 2, 7B Women will host the first "Boobs 'N Beer" 5K fun run and Oktoberfest celebration and the proceeds will help support Community Cancer Services and Celebrate Life.

"I think the majority of the world enjoys boobs and beer," said committee member Jenn Markwardt of Sandpoint Title Insurance. "So it seemed like something that we could get some support and garner some enthusiasm around."

The 5K will begin at 11 a.m. on Sand Creek Trail at City Beach. Participants will make a loop back to where they started before making their way to MickDuff's Beer Hall on Cedar Street for a beer. The trip to MickDuff's is not part of the 5K, so participants can run, walk or drive to the beer hall.

When participants finish the race they will receive a pretzel necklace, similar to a candy necklace, that will have beer token attached to it for those who are 21 or older. The reception at MickDuff's starts at 12:30 p.m. and a local band, Still Tipsy and the Hangovers, will begin playing at 1 p.m.

"Even if someone doesn't want to run in the race, Oktoberfest is open to the public and there will be lots of ways where people can donate to the cause," Markwardt said.

Boobs 'N Beer is a family-friendly event and MickDuff's is a family-friendly establishment, said committee member and Jesse Wurm, a local self-employed businesswoman and freelance writer.

"As much as we do want to see a ton of women out there supporting the cancer movement, bring the guys out, too — bring the family," Wurm said.

Wurm said everyone is welcome to dress up in pink or Oktoberfest gear, such as lederhosen or barmaid outfits and have a "great time for a great local cause."

A committee of the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce, Wurm said 7B Women was formerly known as "Women in Business" and then "Chamber Chicks" until it was rebranded last year. The committee has always been a branch of the chamber designated for the professional development of women, she said.

The mission of the committee is to "promote and advance the professional and economic opportunities for women in the greater Sandpoint area."

"At our (Empowering Women in Business Conference) last year, the women on the board and I decided to rebrand the group to be more inclusive to all of the women in the area that want to either start a business themselves, get back into the workfield or develop themselves professionally," Wurm said.

Markwardt said the mission includes supporting women in business and providing education and networking resources. Another aspect of the mission is a philanthropic obligation to the community, she said.

A goal of the 7B women this year was to "hone in" on the committee's mission, Markwardt said, and to come up with two signature events they could host annually. The first event was a clothes swap in May, benefiting Priest River Ministries for Women. She said the committee raised about $1,200 during that event. The committee decided breast cancer awareness was a good cause in which to focus their second event of the year.

"This community is amazing, doing a lot for cancer organizations," Markwardt said. "But we specifically wanted to kind of own October, so we came up with this Boobs 'N Beer event."

Markwardt said sponsorship of the event has been "amazing" with more than 20 sponsors and several corporate level sponsors including Selle Valley Construction, Idaho Forest Group, North Idaho Flood and Fire, Washington Trust, Ponderay Insurance and Sandpoint Title Insurance.

While many sponsorship levels — B-cup through Double D — are past deadline, there are plenty of A cups to go around. The A-cup includes race registration, a T-shirt and a beer for $30. "Just a training bra and a rootbeer" for children 12 and under is $10, and children in strollers are welcome at no cost. Registration is available until the event, but registration prior to Sept. 28 will ensure a T-shirt and race package.

Registration is available online at members.sandpointchamber.org/events/details/boobs-n-beer-10-02-2016-14636.