Latino Run Club Moves Leimert Park 5K to Elysian Park After Backlash Over Promo and Market Impact

A planned 5K organized by South L.A. running group Barrio Athletics was relocated from Leimert Park to Elysian Park after members of the Black community raised concerns about the event’s promotion and its potential impact on the neighborhood’s long-running Sunday market.

What Happened

The run, scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 6, had been set to gather participants at Leimert Park and run along Crenshaw Boulevard. A promotional video describing the event as "taking over the streets" drew swift criticism from residents who said that phrasing was insensitive to Leimert Park’s role as a historic center of Black cultural, commercial and political life in Los Angeles.

Community Reaction

The backlash intensified after a viral social media clip in which a woman warned organizers not to enter what she called "Africa Town," saying attendees would meet resistance. Other social media users threatened to report participants to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, prompting Barrio Athletics to publicly condemn racism, violence and hate while addressing the threats.

Marketplace Concerns

Leimert Park hosts a longstanding Sunday African Marketplace and drum circle that many residents and vendors say is essential to local cultural life and economic survival. Reporting indicates the African Marketplace and related activities date back at least to the early 2000s, and the Leimert Park Crenshaw Corridor Business Improvement District says a weekly craft and food market on Degnan Boulevard has operated for roughly 40 years. Vendors and neighborhood leaders said they were not adequately consulted before the 5K was announced for a Sunday when the market was expected to be active.

Organizers’ Response and Decision

Barrio Athletics acknowledged the market would be underway and initially offered to move its warm-up to a nearby El Pollo Loco and start the run there to avoid disruption. After continued disagreement and what the group called "careful conversation with community leaders," Barrio Athletics announced it would relocate the entire event to Elysian Park "to respect Leimert Park and the surrounding community."

Local Officials and Wider Context

Speculation that Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass intervened was denied by her office; Bass said she was not aware of the dispute before it was resolved. "Leimert Park holds a special place in the historical and cultural life of Los Angeles," Bass said, urging constructive dialogue between communities. The controversy has reopened broader discussions about access to public space, cultural preservation, and how organizers should engage with neighborhoods—especially when events may affect culturally significant activities and small vendors.

About Barrio Athletics

Barrio Athletics, founded by South Central native Henry Gallardo, describes itself as a South L.A. fitness community that makes running and wellness accessible in neighborhood spaces. Local coverage has noted its events can draw anywhere from dozens to several hundred participants, underscoring why organizers say advance community engagement is important.

What's Next

For now, Barrio Athletics’ Sept. 6 run will start at Elysian Park. The incident has prompted calls for clearer communication and advance consultation when staging large events in neighborhoods with longstanding cultural institutions and marketplaces.

Key takeaway: The dispute was driven by both concerns over language in event promotion and the practical impact on a historic Sunday market—highlighting the need for respectful, early consultation when public events intersect with culturally significant spaces.