A vibrant 5K running event made its debut in San Francisco’s Tenderloin on Thursday night, attracting a flock of 75 enthusiastic runners who wove through the neighborhood’s streets, showcasing an often overlooked side of the community.
Hosted by Justin Bautista at his clothing shop, Tilted Brim, on Larkin Street, the run aimed to promote urban running and highlight the positive cultural energy of the Tenderloin.
Despite its reputation, which often leans towards negative headlines, Bautista pointed out the importance of recognizing the neighborhood’s vibrant aspects.
He noted, “The TL is just so associated with bad headlines, and most of them are true.” This sentiment was not lost on attendees as they gathered for what would be the neighborhood’s first official running event.
The TL 5K coincided with the First Thursday art walk, an event that sees residents and visitors meandering through local businesses and galleries while enjoying refreshments.
Although Bautista initially limited the run to 60 participants, the excitement led to over a dozen walk-ins joining the group as they prepared to hit the streets.
An hour before the run, participants stretched on astroturf outside Tilted Brim, signaling that this was more than just a casual fun run.
Nearby, a man in a long leather coat listened to old school R&B, unperturbed by the athletic energy surrounding him, embodying the coexistence of different worlds within the Tenderloin.
As the runners took off, a mix of speeds emerged, from those sprinting at a seven-minute-mile pace to others taking a leisurely jog or walk.
Instead of dominating the area, the runners became part of the neighborhood’s fabric, seamlessly merging with the twilight traffic and various pedestrians.
The atmosphere was filled with encouragement, as spectators cheered along the route.
On Grove Street near Market Street, a woman in a bright pink hoodie stopped to cheer on the runners, exclaiming, “Yes! Yes! I don’t know what you’re doing, but yay!”
Street activations like the TL 5K are increasingly seen as vital in revitalizing the Tenderloin.
Rene Colorado, director of the Tenderloin Merchants Association and a personal sponsor of the event with a $2,000 contribution, emphasized the impact such events have on community visibility and engagement.
He stated, “Street activations generate excitement and have a positive effect on communities, especially when done consistently,” believing that attention on the Tenderloin can lead to meaningful change.
According to Colorado, exposing people to the neighborhood can reshape their perceptions.
“If we get people from outside of the Tenderloin advocating for [it], that most definitely has a tenfold impact than me, a resident… yelling at the top of our lungs for cleaner, safer streets forever,” he articulated.
The event attracted a diverse group of participants, including Chris, a 24-year-old from the East Bay, who appreciated the TENDERLOIN jersey worn during the run, observing that it is usually not something runners flaunted in the past.
For Molly Higgins, a North Beach resident of ten years, the run served as an opportunity to get in some exercise while indulging in a banh mi from Bo & Beurre, a new Little Saigon eatery.
She said, “It just came up on my feed, and I thought, ‘that sounds cool and unique,’” noting her desire to meet new people through running.
Participants like Jacky Tijerino Gomez, who grew up in the Tenderloin, learned about the event from a nearby trash pickup initiative she regularly joined.
With trash bags and gloves in tow, she laughed while noting that she and her friends might clean up after the run.
Bautista estimated that about half the participants comprised his loyal customers and those living nearby, while a substantial number came through Unseen Run Club, the event’s co-sponsor.
Justin Williams, founder of Unseen Run Club, sought to foster neighborhood involvement and build a community spirit through the event.
Throughout the route, runners and supporters alike engaged in a sense of collective purpose, with numerous community members participating, including District 5 Supervisor Bilal Mahmood, who joined the run after returning from his wedding and honeymoon.
The course meandered through various streets of the Tenderloin, ensuring participants experienced the neighborhood fully before returning to Tilted Brim.
As the run concluded, participants—both runners and non-runners—revelled in the spirit of the evening.
Many gathered on makeshift seating, munching on their banh mi, with some newcomers who hadn’t run at all enjoying the atmosphere.
Isabel Cuza, who had stumbled upon the event while walking to dinner after a drag show, was warmly welcomed.
“He told me they’re gonna have a party,” she recounted, reflecting on the spontaneous joy of the community gathering.
Originally from Cuba and having settled in San Francisco for nearly two decades, Cuza found solace and connection within the Tenderloin.
She expressed her appreciation for the neighborhood, stating, “I like [it], because of the relations with different people,” and she hoped for more such events in the future.
Through initiatives like the TL 5K, the community’s bright spots shine through, challenging the prevailing narratives about the Tenderloin and fostering connections among diverse residents and visitors alike.
image source from：missionlocal
