Stride Toward Freedom
On June 19, Cincinnati won’t just be remembering history it will be moving through it.
Runners of all backgrounds and experience levels will gather in East Walnut Hills for the Juneteenth Fun Run, an energetic and symbolic celebration marking the day that freedom finally reached the last enslaved African Americans in the U.S. Hosted at Esoteric Brewing Company and uniting six Black-led run clubs, this event is part fitness, part celebration, and all community.
This isn’t just another group jog. It’s a reminder that liberation, like running, is both a personal and collective journey.
If you ask the average American about July 4, most will immediately connect it to freedom and independence. But for millions of Black Americans, June 19—Juneteenth—represents a second, deeper reckoning with liberty.
The day commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and finally enforced the Emancipation Proclamation—a full two and a half years after Abraham Lincoln had declared enslaved people in Confederate states free. The announcement came through General Order No. 3, read aloud by Union Major General Gordon Granger:
“The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free.”
Imagine waiting years after a legal declaration of freedom before that freedom reaches your doorstep. That’s the historical weight Juneteenth carries—and why its modern celebrations are filled with both solemn remembrance and joyful resilience.
While Texas was the first state to recognize Juneteenth as an official holiday in 1980, the federal government didn’t follow suit until 2021, making it the first new national holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day was designated in 1983. It’s a relatively recent recognition of a very old truth: freedom delayed is freedom denied.
The Juneteenth Fun Run, held on Thursday, June 19, isn’t about speed. It’s about solidarity, celebration, and visibility.
Organized in partnership with Esoteric Brewing Company and coordinated by civic leader Derrick Braziel, the event offers 1-, 2-, and 4-mile routes through the historic streets of East Walnut Hills. Participants will kick off the evening with a 6:30 p.m. welcome and warmup, before hitting the pavement at 7 p.m. Runners will return for a post-run celebration complete with music, food, and fellowship at Esoteric—one of Cincinnati’s only Black-owned breweries.
Pig Works and the Flying Pig Marathon—two cornerstones of the city’s running culture—will provide support with a fluid station at Eden Park, helping participants stay hydrated as they honor those who came before.
What sets this event apart is its intersection of culture, fitness, and justice. By spotlighting Black-led run clubs, it uplifts representation in a space where Black voices have historically been underrepresented. It also breaks down barriers between communities, offering a shared experience rooted in movement and meaning.
RSVPs are encouraged at bit.ly/CincyJuneteenthRun2025, but participation is free—because the spirit of the event is one of access and inclusivity.
Running has always been a metaphor for freedom. From Harriet Tubman’s escape to the countless protest marches of the Civil Rights Movement, forward motion has symbolized progress—even in the face of struggle.
That symbolism is not lost here. In 2025, America finds itself at a crossroads. We’ve made strides in recognizing the contributions and rights of Black Americans, but the finish line of equity remains elusive. Events like the Juneteenth Fun Run remind us that freedom is not a destination; it’s a direction.
Moreover, physical movement can become a form of resistance. In reclaiming public spaces, in gathering joyfully, in showing up and being visible, the community is rewriting the story of who belongs in wellness, who gets celebrated, and who gets to lead.
Across the country, Juneteenth celebrations are evolving to include everything from cultural festivals and music events to educational panels and neighborhood block parties. In Cincinnati, a city deeply tied to the Underground Railroad and the abolitionist movement, honoring Juneteenth carries both historic significance and contemporary urgency.
And while Juneteenth began as a regional observance, its rise to national recognition offers a mirror to our country’s ongoing reckoning with its past—and the responsibility we all carry to shape its future.
Whether you’re walking a mile, running four, or simply cheering from the sidelines, the Juneteenth Fun Run offers a meaningful way to engage. It’s a celebration not just of how far we’ve come, but of the road still ahead.
Event Recap
What: Juneteenth Fun Run
When: Thursday, June 19
6:30 p.m. – Welcome and warmup
7:00 p.m. – Run/walk of 1, 2, or 4 miles
7:45 p.m. – Post-run party at Esoteric Brewing
Where: Esoteric Brewing Company, 918 E. McMillan St.
Cost: Free (RSVP at bit.ly/CincyJuneteenthRun2025)
Organized by: Derrick Braziel
Media Contact: Betsy Ross, Game Day Communications – bross@gamedaypr.com