A local running group focused on improving health outcomes and strengthening community ties hosted its signature Black History Month event Saturday morning.Black Men Run Sacramento held its 4th annual Black History Month 5K, continuing a tradition the organization says is about more than miles, instead it founded on bringing families together, encouraging healthy lifestyles and creating a welcoming space for runners of all backgrounds.“We want families to come out, we want to encourage people to have healthy lifestyles,” said Robert Cathey, the group’s captain. “Black Men Run was formed to change the health outcomes of Black men, but we welcome anybody to run with us.”Cathey said the group began its mission more than a decade ago to address health conditions that disproportionately affect Black men, including heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure.The event also serves as a fundraiser, with a different beneficiary selected each year. This year’s 5K is supporting the Capitol City Black Nurses Association, whose leaders say the partnership is especially meaningful during Black History Month.“During Black History Month it means everything to be seen as a Black nurses association,” said Carter Todd, the association’s founding president, calling the race “a perfect timed event” for the group to be part of.Todd said the organization’s scholarship work helps reduce financial barriers for Black nursing students. He noted that last year the association supported $30,000 in scholarships, helping cover costs such as books and tuition, as well as support for students’ families.“Being able to give back scholarships is some of the most meaningful work that we do,” Todd said. “For a lot of young Black nursing students, the financial barrier is a burden to access to become nurses.”Held near the end of Black History Month each year, the 5K also carries an added layer of remembrance: honoring the life of Ahmaud Arbery, a young Black man who was shot and killed while jogging in February 2020.“I think it’s important to honor his life because he was unjustly murdered for being a Black man in what was supposedly the wrong place,” Cathey said. “We really want to honor him and make running safe for everyone.”Organizers encouraged community members to learn more about Black Men Run Sacramento through the group’s website and social media platforms.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

A local running group focused on improving health outcomes and strengthening community ties hosted its signature Black History Month event Saturday morning.

Black Men Run Sacramento held its 4th annual Black History Month 5K, continuing a tradition the organization says is about more than miles, instead it founded on bringing families together, encouraging healthy lifestyles and creating a welcoming space for runners of all backgrounds.

“We want families to come out, we want to encourage people to have healthy lifestyles,” said Robert Cathey, the group’s captain. “Black Men Run was formed to change the health outcomes of Black men, but we welcome anybody to run with us.”

Cathey said the group began its mission more than a decade ago to address health conditions that disproportionately affect Black men, including heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure.

The event also serves as a fundraiser, with a different beneficiary selected each year. This year’s 5K is supporting the Capitol City Black Nurses Association, whose leaders say the partnership is especially meaningful during Black History Month.

“During Black History Month it means everything to be seen as a Black nurses association,” said Carter Todd, the association’s founding president, calling the race “a perfect timed event” for the group to be part of.

Todd said the organization’s scholarship work helps reduce financial barriers for Black nursing students. He noted that last year the association supported $30,000 in scholarships, helping cover costs such as books and tuition, as well as support for students’ families.

“Being able to give back scholarships is some of the most meaningful work that we do,” Todd said. “For a lot of young Black nursing students, the financial barrier is a burden to access to become nurses.”

Held near the end of Black History Month each year, the 5K also carries an added layer of remembrance: honoring the life of Ahmaud Arbery, a young Black man who was shot and killed while jogging in February 2020.

“I think it’s important to honor his life because he was unjustly murdered for being a Black man in what was supposedly the wrong place,” Cathey said. “We really want to honor him and make running safe for everyone.”

Organizers encouraged community members to learn more about Black Men Run Sacramento through the group’s website and social media platforms.

See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel