Saturday, June 14, 2025
Early last Sunday morning, before the Mother’s Day brunch crowds filled local restaurants, over 70 women laced up their running shoes and gathered at Baldwin Park for a 3.1-mile-long celebration of the holiday.
Now in its third year, the Run Like a Mother 5K, led by Meadow Elementary School PTA member Sophea Sainsurin, offers participants not only a fun, pressure-free workout, but also a chance to connect with other women and celebrate their collective strength.
“This event gives mothers the gift we so rarely give ourselves: time, space and recognition,” Sainsurin, 44, said. “It reminds moms they’re not alone — that they’re supported and seen, and that they deserve to take up space in powerful, beautiful ways.”
The event, which began in 2022 with just 20 women — inspired by runs with the same name in Ridgefield, Connecticut, and elsewhere— grew out of what Sainsurin described as a collective desire to reconnect with health and community in the wake of the pandemic.
“The inspiration came from a moment we all shared — post-pandemic life, where so many of us felt like we had lost touch with our wellness and ourselves,” she said. “That one run became a moment for us to feel seen, strong and celebrated. And from there, Run Like a Mother, Baldwin edition, was born.”
The first year, the race came together quickly. A small group of mothers had been supporting one other through a local wellness challenge when someone suggested ending it with a 5K. Sainsurin mapped out a route in Baldwin Park, and the group showed up at sunrise with nothing but printed shirts, finishers’ medals and motivation.
“We didn’t have sponsors or fancy signage — just determination, sisterhood, and the drive to show up for ourselves,” she recalled. “That first leap, stepping outside our comfort zones together, was the biggest challenge — and the most beautiful part.”
This year, Sainsurin said, the feeling was different. “Today was emotional for me,” she wrote to the Herald. On this Mother’s Day, 70-plus women and their families woke up to complete a 5K — some for the very first time. Some ran with their daughters, others with their mothers. It wasn’t just about the run — it was about showing up, together, for something meaningful. There was something incredibly powerful about watching women of all ages take it one step at a time — literally and figuratively. There is strength in every stride, and power in every woman who chooses to begin.”
The event has expanded to include official race bibs, goodie bags and other celebratory details, thanks to a volunteer “Fun Committee” led by Katisha Brown. This year, Junior Girl Scouts from Troop 2210 volunteered, and local bakery Pastel Cupcakes donated custom mini cupcakes.
“It warms my heart to be part of creating something meaningful for the women participating in this event,” Brown wrote. “We pour a lot of love into every detail — from the food and beverages to the thoughtfully curated goodie bags that promote self-care.
“What began as a way to move our bodies has become a way to move our hearts,” Brown added. “We care deeply for everyone in our lives, and through this event, we’ve made the intentional choice to care for ourselves, too.”
Despite its growth, Run Like a Mother remains intentionally low-cost and inclusive. “There are no proceeds, and that’s by design,” Sainsurin wrote. “As moms, we’re constantly being asked to fundraise — for schools, sports and every cause in between. I wanted Run Like a Mother to be different. A space where moms could show up and feel celebrated without being asked to give more than they already do.”
Sainsurin, a four-time marathon finisher, said she chose Mother’s Day intentionally, as a day to reframe what it means to be honored.
“Let’s be honest — organizing a 5K on Mother’s Day raises a few eyebrows,” she said. “I hear it every year — and I get it. But here’s the thing: Mother’s Day shouldn’t just be about mimosas and pancakes. It should also be about celebrating our strength, honoring our health, and reclaiming the time we often give away to everyone else.”
And for the women of Baldwin, that message is catching on.
“So yes, we ‘work’ on Mother’s Day,” she said. “We breathe hard, we laugh harder, and we cheer each other on at every step. And afterward? We still brunch — only now we’ve earned the extra mimosa.”
