Thursday, October 1, 2026
More than 100 women gathered at Baldwin Park on Mother’s Day morning for the Run Like a Mother 5K, a 3.1-mile run and walk focused less on competition than on wellness, community and giving mothers a rare hour for themselves.
The annual event, now in its fifth year, has grown from 15 participants in 2022 to 105 this year, drawing mothers, daughters, friends and supporters from Baldwin and surrounding communities.
The event’s growth has come through word of mouth, school connections and local visibility. Jennifer Clonmell-Peck, a mother of two girls, ages 6 and 3, said she had seen stories about the run in the Herald in previous years and joined when she had the chance this year.
Organized by resident Sophea Sainsurin and a volunteer planning team, the event is intentionally pressure-free. Unlike many 5Ks, it isn’t a fundraiser. Instead, Sainsurin said, the focus is on participation, connection and self-care — giving mothers something rather than asking something of them.
“It’s about redefining strength,” Sainsurin said. “It’s not about speed or placement, but about resilience, sacrifice, and the quiet power that moms carry every single day.”
That message resonated with Kerri Stevens, 46, a mother of two, who said she took part the 5K to “refill my cup” by connecting with other local mothers and doing something for her physical and mental wellness on Mother’s Day
“The 5K is never really about the running — at least not for me,” Stevens said. “It’s really just about connecting and feeling good with other local moms on a day when we should, can and now do celebrate ourselves in a way that’s meaningful for us.”
The route followed a course through the park and nearby streets, with families and children cheering along the way. The run-walk started at 8 a.m. so mothers could still attend church or spend the rest of the day with their families.
For Jennifer Cordova, 36, of Valley Stream, family support made the morning especially meaningful. The event marked her first real workout after giving birth to her first child three months ago, and she took part along with her mother-in-law and sister-in-law while her husband and son cheered from the sidelines.
“I thought it would be a wonderful opportunity to connect with other moms, celebrate my very first Mother’s Day and a enjoy a meaningful workout,” Cordova said, adding that children along the route were cheering, “You’ve got this!” and “You’re amazing!” — and that seeing her husband and son waiting at the finish line was one of the most emotional moments of the morning.
The event began four years ago, when a small group of local mothers completed a wellness challenge and decided to mark the moment with a 5K. What started as a simple run among friends has grown each year, from 15 women to 30, then 75 and 105 this year.
For Sainsurin — a mother, PTA co-president at Meadow Elementary School, Girl Scout Troop 2210 leader and four-time marathoner, the 5K feels different from other races.
“I am very intentional about how I show up,” she said. “I try to lead by example by keeping a steady pace, encouraging others along the way, and showing that finishing matters more than anything else.”
Malikah Willians, 39, a mother of three, said that this year’s race was the first 5K she had run straight through. “This year, participating not only connected me with community, but I was able to mark it as a personal milestone,” Williams said. “Witnessing so many mothers, who all juggle so much, day in and day out, show up for themselves was heartwarming.”
The event was supported by local volunteers, families and small businesses. Sary So donated a handcrafted flower bouquet for the first finisher, while Katisha Brown, 42, a mother of two and a member of the Fun Committee helped organize food, beverages, goodie bags, check-in and the distribution of shirts and bibs.
The event, Brown said, helped her reconnect with herself outside of motherhood and daily responsibilities. “It meant taking a step toward finding myself,” she said. “It also reminded me how important community, wellness and sisterhood are for moms.”
For Grisselle Eustache, a mother of three children ages 13, 9 and 6, the morning was a reminder that motherhood doesn’t have to feel isolating. She walked with another mother while her 9-year-old daughter cheered her on at the finish line.
“Sometimes motherhood can feel lonely,” Eustache said. “And this event was such a beautiful reminder that we are not alone in this journey.”
The event also included multigenerational moments. Vernita Cunningham, returned after taking part last year, and walked with her sister-in-law, Malvia Cunningham. Her daughter, Venee Cunningham, also participated. Vernita said she enjoyed the fellowship among the women and the encouragement from families along the route.
Although children and other family members lined the route, the run itself was reserved for mothers. Sainsurin said that requirement is intentional, creating a space where mothers can focus on themselves while still being supported by their loved ones. That balance, she said, was what she hopes the participants took with them after the race.
“I hope they walked away reminded that they matter, and that taking care of themselves is not an afterthought,” she said. “It’s essential.”
