PITTSBURGH -- On Sunday, Pittsburgh races for the cure with a celebration of those who have battled and beaten cancer.

But for a special group of survivors, that celebration has taken them from the streets of Schenley Park to the waterways of the Allegheny River.

The breast cancer survivors are now diving into a new challenge in life with competitive dragon boat racing. Their competitive team name is "Pink Steel."

"This is the first time I had been in any kind of competitive sport," said breast cancer survivor Lynn Wegrzynek. "I would walk and exercise but never this kind of exercise, and this kind of support is wonderful."

The 26 women in the group range in age from 36 to 74. They were brought together by a woman who did not survive her battle with cancer.

"A lost a friend to cancer a few years ago and I thought I should do something to celebrate her, because she was a very positive woman," said Pink Steel member Lynne Franks-Meinert.

"This is celebrating," said Pink Steel member Laurie Montgomery. "This is about more than surviving, this is about celebrating. I really think this is key."

On Sunday, they will take their oars out of the water to return to land for Sunday's race.

Pink Steel hits the competitive waters this summer, taking part in the Pittsburgh dragon boat races at Station Square next month.

In July, they will row against other breast cancer survivor teams in Windsor, Ontario.

The Susan G. Komen Pittsburgh "Race For the Cure" is Sunday. You can sign up on Saturday between noon and 4 p.m. at Flagstaff Hill. The race begins Sunday at 6:30 a.m.

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