The event<\/a>, which began as a grassroots effort nearly a decade ago, has grown into a thriving fitness community that encourages accountability, healthy lifestyles and meaningful connections through running.<\/p>\nOrganizers say holding the event during Juneteenth weekend highlights the relationship between community wellness, empowerment and collective progress.<\/p>\n
The annual 5K is open to participants of all ages, backgrounds and fitness levels, creating an inclusive environment where attendees can celebrate Black culture while participating in a shared fitness experience.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s event is supported by Nike and Hibbett, which will offer participants the opportunity to test Nike\u2019s new Vomero Plus running shoe during the race.<\/p>\n
The wear-test experience allows runners to borrow the shoe and try its cushioning and responsive foam technology while completing the 5K.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt Hibbett, we believe sport has the power to bring people together,\u201d said Scott Ferrari, district sales manager for Hibbett. \u201cPartnering with Nike and ZFT Run Club during Juneteenth weekend allows us to create an experience that inspires movement, strengthens community and reminds people that every step forward matters.\u201d<\/p>\n
Iyesha Williams, brand development director for ZFT Run Club, reflected on the organization\u2019s growth over the past nine years.<\/p>\n
\u201cNine years ago, ZFT set out to prove that running could be about more than fitness. It could be about community, culture, accountability and belonging,\u201d Williams said. \u201cToday, we celebrate the thousands of individuals who have trusted us to be part of their journey. Every mile, every friendship and every finish line reminds us that when people come together with a shared purpose, incredible things happen.\u201d<\/p>\n
In addition to the race, attendees can expect DJ entertainment, group warmups, fitness activities, hydration and recovery stations, event merchandise and giveaways.<\/p>\n
Organizers say the event offers an opportunity for Houstonians to celebrate Juneteenth through health, movement and community engagement.<\/p>\n
What to know<\/p>\n
When: Saturday, June 20, 2026<\/p>\n
Arrival: 7 a.m.<\/p>\n
Race start: 8 a.m.<\/p>\n
Where: East River, 100 Jensen Drive, Houston<\/p>\n
Packet pickup: June 18-19 at Hibbett, 1042 Federal Road, Houston<\/p>\n
Registration remains open for those interested in participating.<\/p>\n
Copyright 2026 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"HOUSTON \u2013 As Houston celebrates Juneteenth weekend, one of the city\u2019s largest Black-led running communities is marking a…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":340420,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[56,121410,58,57,7218,223,121409],"class_list":["post-340419","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-houston","tag-houston","tag-houston-fitness","tag-houston-headlines","tag-houston-news","tag-juneteenth","tag-news","tag-zft-run-club"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/340419","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=340419"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/340419\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/340420"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=340419"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=340419"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=340419"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}