Warburton 5K runners splash to finish line

Rain showers didn’t put a damper on the Warburton 5K, which went on as planned Sunday morning in Palm Desert.

Despite the wet weather, more than 100 runners showed up at the Classic Club for the run/walk benefiting St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

“Nothing was going to hold me back from meeting Patrick Warburton and being out here and fundraising for Saint Jude,” said Wendy Ansley, who won the women’s group.

“I think it’s wonderful that everybody turned out for this race. No one turned around and said it’s rainy, it’s cruddy outside, you know, everybody showed up.”

Patrick Warburton, the founder of the event, is a funny guy, but takes this cause very seriously.

“Over the course of decades, since they opened the doors in 1963, they’ve brought the cancer cure rates for catastrophic disease up remarkably,” Warburton said.

People of all ages are running for kids like Natalie. She was not expected to survive her first bout with cancer, but thanks to St. Jude’s and fundraisers like this, she is here today.

“It was just a great experience getting the community gathering behind Saint Jude and I’m happy to be a part of it,” Natalie said.

It’s a running start for a full week of events leading up to the Warburton Golf Tournament, also benefiting the children’s charity.

It just seems like whenever folks show up to support a place like Saint Jude, they’re unwavering.

News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 are sponsors of this event.