The Dartmouth-based non-profit Theresa Street invites people to run — or walk — in its third annual Harbor Run 5K on Saturday, April 27 that will begin at Dartmouth High School and finish in scenic Padanaram Village. 

The proceeds will go toward local Unified Sports programs, which allow students regardless of their physical or mental abilities the chance to play sports in an environment that fosters inclusivity and acceptance. 

“The Unified Sports program is such a great example of what we want to focus on,” said Jeremy Isaacs, the event manager for Theresa Street and the director of this year’s Harbor Run 5K. “The youth is the next generation. If we can enable them to be the best that they can be, then that benefits everybody.”

Founded in 2020, Theresa Street hosts competitive community programs and sporting events to raise money for local organizations in Dartmouth and New Bedford that provide educational and mental health support to low-income students and students with disabilities. 

The event will kick off at 10 a.m. when athletes enrolled in the Unified Sports programs will complete a lap around the high school track. After some words from the Theresa Street team and coaches involved with Unified Sports, the 5K will officially kick off. 

From the high school, the runners will take Russells Mills Road before turning onto Gulf Road, which they’ll follow past Apponagansett Beach until they cross the bridge into Padanaram Village. Police will be stationed at points along the route for safety, Isaacs said.

 “It’s a very walker and runner friendly course,” he said.

For anyone adverse to running or walking long distances, the route is primarily downhill, Isaacs said.

“You get downhill and hopefully some wind at your back,” Isaacs said. “So we’re expecting some fast times.”

Registration for the 5K is $30 and is open up until the day of the race, at which point registration will increase to $35. One hundred people ran in last year’s Harbor Run, Isaacs said, and they hope to double or exceed that number this year. 

The 5K will include DJs at the start and finish lines and a raffle with the chance to win prizes from local Padanaram businesses. Transportation back to Dartmouth High School will be available every 30 minutes up until about 2 p.m.

“We’re encouraging people to stick around and hang out and explore Padanaram Village,” Isaacs said. 

Sponsors for the event include various Dartmouth businesses such as Padanaram Outfitters, Milbury and Company Real Estate, Anne Whiting Real Estate, Details and Design and the Padanaram Business Association.

People interested in participating in this year’s Harbor Run can register at TheresaStreet.org.