By Isabelle Zhang
Runners and walkers alike will gather this Saturday (Sept. 26) at Franklin Park Playstead for the third annual EmpowerHer 5K, a community-focused race celebrating movement and wellness. The race is hosted by Chica Project, a non-profit organization supporting young women of color through educational programming and mentorship.
Proceeds will go toward Chicas in Bloom, the organization’s leadership program for students in Boston Public Schools and other community locations.
“All of the funds from the race go back into ensuring that our programs continue at a really vital time when women, immigrants, and women of color are feeling extra stress in operating in today’s society,” said Lorrin Van Evra, director of development at Chica Project.
The idea for the 5K came directly from the young women participating in Chica Project’s programs, she said. The organization developed the race as “a physical embodiment of the wellness module” they had added to their programming, which emphasized taking care of oneself through movement.
“Health is the foundation of our being, and if we take care of ourselves, we can thrive,” Van Evra said. “We can show up every day as our best self.
Now in its third year, she said, the EmpowerHer 5K is evolving into more than just a traditional race. This year the event has been renamed a “fun 5K,” placing less emphasis on finishing times and more on bringing the community together through movement.
Rather than awarding prizes to the first- and second-place finishers as in previous years, Van Evra said, every participant will be entered into a raffle for prizes. The event will also feature face painting, a glitter bar, and free snacks from local sponsors, including J.P. Licks and the Charles River Boat Company.
The changes are intended to make the event more closely reflect the original purpose of the race, she noted, which is encouraging people to find joy in movement, regardless of their athletic ability.
Britney Savage, who ran the inaugural Empower Her 5K in 2024, said she is participating because she wants to support Chica Project’s mission and “be surrounded by a community of women” who empower one another.
“What has stayed with me most is the sense of community the event created,” Savage wrote in a statement to The Reporter. “It was about so much more than completing a 5K — it was about showing up for yourself, supporting others, and coming together for a cause that encourages women to feel confident, strong, and empowered.”
Van Evra recalled one moment from last year’s race that captured that exact sense of community: After organizers announced the second-place finisher, the winner told the crowd she thought another participant had run harder and deserved the recognition. She gave her prize to the other runner as the crowd cheered.
“I just think that that was the epitome of what the race is about,” Van Evra said. “It’s not about the prizes; it’s about recognizing, showing up for yourself, and putting it all in and coming in with energy.”
She described the event as “not your average 5K race,” emphasizing that participants do not need any running experience to take part.
“You don’t have to be a professional runner,” she said. “You don’t even have to be a casual runner. You can be a walker. But I promise you, when you leave the event, you will have a cup that is overflowing with joy and love and community spirit.”
Runners can register for $35 through Friday and $45 on Saturday. Children ages 5 and under can participate for free and do not need to be registered. Register here for the EmpowerHer 5K.
This story is the result of a partnership between the Dorchester Reporter and the Boston University Department of Journalism’s Newsroom program.
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