Bergen County Sheriff's Youth Leadership Academy

WEST ORANGE — Despite the rain today, thousands of people turned out for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure event held at the Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex in West Orange, several participants reported.

The event raised $1.4 million through today, and a total of $1.5 million in receipts is anticipated, said Lisa Gallipoli, executive director of Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, North Jersey affiliate, which sponsored the event.

That represents an increase over the $1.4 million raised for the event last year, she said.

“It was pretty amazing,” said Kathi Edelson Wolder, public relations chairwoman for the event. “We had a terrific turnout … The rain held off for both events.”

A race and a walk were held separately, along with the annual survivors’ celebration, Edelson said.

Among the celebrities lending a hand were “Today” show co-host Hoda Kotb, a four-year breast cancer survivor, who served as master of ceremonies for the survivor procession.

Gallipoli said 7,500 people were registered to participate. She acknowledged that heavy rain in the morning kept some people away but estimated there still were “5,000 or 6,000 people on site.”

“It was a tremendous success. We were thrilled with the hospitality of the county and our new venue,” she said.