ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A 5K race isn’t anything new in the Tampa Bay area, but it is new to some South St. Pete neighborhoods.

The Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg identified three, predominately Black zip codes (33705, 33711 and 33712) in the city for their health equity study. They are taking the information they learned from those neighborhoods and hosting physically active events like their upcoming We Run These Streets 5K race.

What You Need To Know

We Run These Streets 5K run/walk is Oct. 4 at 8 a.m.

All community members and organizations are invited to participate as runners, walkers, volunteers, cheerleaders, spectators and more

The race aims to improve community health not only by building endurance and fitness but also by building community

Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg conducted a health equity study, examining three zip codes in South St. Pete that revealed health disparities

Sixty-one-year-old Elaine Dogan said she’s been intentional about training for the 5K run/walk. She joined a newly formed running club that helps walkers and runners prepare for the 5K race.

“Actually, it had not made it to my bucket list yet, but I was trying to get out and be a part of groups,” she said.

Dogan says she can’t remember a time a 5K race was held in her predominantly Black, South St. Pete community, let alone seeing the people there running in one.

She said that based on her experience; she thinks she knows why.

“Because our lifestyles,” she said. “It’s not so much the diet. It’s other things incorporated into that. The family issue, the work issue, the financial issue, the responsibilities that we carry.”

Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg CEO Kanika Tomalin said she’s hoping the race will help change lives and minds when it comes to being healthy.

“There’s a 16-year age gap between people who live in Campbell Park and people who live in Snell Isle here in St. Pete,” she said. “That’s four miles apart but 16 years’ difference in likelihood of early death.”

Using data from their health equity study shows races like this 5K can make a true impact.

“There’s no genetic difference to which these changes can be attributed. There is no specific difference other than environmental factors and people’s opportunities and access,” Tomalin said.

The Foundation’s impact officer, Joshua Bean, said there will be no shortage of accessibility at this race.

“We’re gonna have over 25 health and wellness vendors, said Bean. “We’re gonna have a DJ; we’re gonna have a 360-photo booth. We’re gonna have food and drinks; we’re gonna have musical activations on the trail. Drummers, high school band members. Urban League has a cheering section.”

It’s an approach that’s already picking up speed whether you’re running or walking, like Dogan

“I can do my part; I can do it. And then that way, I’m strengthening my own body so I can do other stuff with other groups,” Dogan said. After walking the race route with her at her speed, she might leave the race with more than that. She might just get a medal.

The “We Run These Streets 5K” is Saturday at 8 a.m. located at 2333 34th St. S. in St. Pete. Runners and walkers must register. Registration is $20, but the foundation doesn’t want cost to be a barrier, so they are providing waivers for those who need them.

Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg officials said any registration fees collected for We Run These Streets go directly to the Good Sweat Foundation to support their youth running program.