Enjoying a good run

October is a popular month for walks throughout the city that support sufferers of lupus, leukemia, breast cancer and more.

But if you happen to pass Second Street this Saturday, you’ll see a massive number of people walking and running to support their own community.

The sixth annual Two Street 5K Run/Walk Festival — which began as the brainstorm of residents John Brennan and Brian Stevenson — has grown into a mammoth rally for community preservation.

"Neighborhoods originally started out as parishes and we are helping to keep them together," Stevenson said.

The cofounders were inspired to create the event after attending a neighborhood race in Manayunk.

All proceeds from the run benefit Brennan’s parish, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, 2319 S. Third St., and Stevenson’s Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Third and Reed, along with local youth organizations. Both parishes have been serving the community for more than 100 years.

Approximately 700 runners and walkers participated in the race’s first year, with 800 to 1,200 people attending the following festival. Since then, the number of participants has consistently doubled, with the cofounders expecting 5,000 to 7,000 this year.

The "newfound tradition" has had a unifying effect, Stevenson said.

"It is one of the biggest things in the community, a really positive event for the neighbors," Brennan said. "We never expected it to be like this."

The "never-ending" event, which begins and ends at Sacred Heart School, 1329 E. Moyamensing Ave., will include an Irish festival with games, awards, vendors, rides, crafts, refreshments and much more. Unforgettable Fire, the Rocky Band and the Danny Beissell Band will provide live entertainment.

Pre-registered runners will receive race packets, including amenities such as official race T-shirts and giveaway bags.

The 9 a.m. run, which is accessible to the physically disabled, also can be described as a homecoming.

"It’s Second Street pride day," Stevenson said. "People from all over come back who haven’t been here in a while."

Well aware of the financial and population struggles that have closed other South Philly parishes, the organizers hope they can prevent a similar fate in their neighborhood.

"Both of the parishes are bookends of our neighborhoods," Stevenson said. "We want to keep them at their level of excellence and keep our neighborhood together."

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An information session will be held from 7-9 tonight at EOM, Front and Moore streets. Race day registration will be held from 7-8 a.m. The cost is $20 for adults and $10 for children. Donations or completed applications can be mailed to: Two Street 5K Run/Walk, P.O. Box 37490, Philadelphia, Pa. 19148. Interested vendors can call Tom Nicolo at 215-271-8513 or 215-704-2729.