More than 500 runners and walkers of all ages joined the first-ever “Walk and Run for Hope” 5K/10K race, organized by the Central Dominican Conference (CDC) of the Seventh-day Adventist Church on August 24. The event, held at Mirador Sur Park in Santo Domingo, brought together church members, leaders, and community residents to promote healthy living and wholistic well-being.
“This race was not just about one day of exercising—it reflected a constant process of preparation and commitment to integral health,” said Cristian Beras, Health Ministries director of CDC and main organizer of the event.
“Walking, learning to breathe properly, and maintaining a healthy diet are key to preventing such diseases as cancer and mental health disorders,” he said. “The World Health Organization has recognized the Adventist Church as one of the global leaders in promoting health, and this initiative builds on that mission.”
The “Walk and Run for Hope” 5K/10K race, organized by the Central Dominican Conference, drew church leaders, members, and their families in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on August 24. [Photo: Central Dominican Conference] 
A community member stretches and smiles before the race begins on the morning of August 24. [Photo: Central Dominican Conference] 
Church member runner Nelcida Amado was thrilled to finish the race with the first group that crossed the finish line. [Photo: Central Dominican Conference]
Impact Beyond the Church
Beras highlighted the broad community impact of the race. “It had a great impact because the area where it was held is known for bringing together people from different social backgrounds who are trying to live this lifestyle. As soon as we presented this event, hundreds immediately signed up—people not only from the capital city but also from neighboring provinces within the territory of the Central Dominican Conference.”
“Honestly, I feel so good after taking part in this race,” said Nelcida Amado, a church member. “I told my husband that even if I finished in 200th place, it would be fine. But I ended up finishing with the group that reached the finish line first, and I praise God for allowing me to complete it.”
District pastors, church members, and their families—including children and adults, some between 70 and 84 years old—showed that physical activity is possible and beneficial at every stage of life, Beras explained.
A Conference-Level Milestone
While some local churches had previously organized small-scale races, this was the first 5K/10K event held at the conference level, marking a significant milestone for CDC. Organizers said the enthusiastic participation and broad community involvement demonstrated the initiative’s strong impact and potential for growth. The event received coverage in several national print media outlets.
Before the race began, participants gathered for a devotional and prayer for the health of the Dominican people, emphasizing the spiritual dimension of the initiative.
Following the race, medals and cash prizes were awarded to the top three winners in both the men’s and women’s categories, recognizing their dedication and achievement.
An elderly woman receives a medal for completing the 5K/10K race in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. [Photo: Central Dominican Conference] 
Three young participants display their first-, second-, and third-place numbers at the race’s award ceremony. [Photo: Central Dominican Conference] 
Teófilo Silvestre, president of the Dominican Union Conference (center), poses with other regional church leaders during the “Walk and Run for Hope” 5K/10K race on August 24. [Photo: Central Dominican Conference]
A Message of Health and Hope
The race highlighted the Adventist Church’s ongoing promotion of the eight natural remedies—water, rest, exercise, sunlight, pure air, good nutrition, temperance, and trust in God. Through activities like this, the church emphasizes that caring for the body is a way of glorifying God while also serving the broader community, church leaders said.
Teófilo Silvestre, president of the Dominican Union Conference, underscored the significance of the initiative as part of the wider health program. “Through ‘Move and Breathe’ we are motivating every conference and institution of our territory to live a healthy lifestyle, especially by practicing the eight natural remedies. Exercise is one of them, and this 5K and 10K race is a powerful way to put that into practice,” he said.
Inspiring a Healthy Lifestyle
Through this shared experience, Silvestre said, participants—not only members but the wider community—run and experience the fellowship of the church. “Many leave with a positive testimony about who we are and what we stand for,” he explained.
Silvestre added that the Santo Domingo race sets the stage for the first national “Move and Breathe” 5K/10K race, scheduled for February 2026, which will be organized by the Dominican Union. Leaders from across the country are expected to bring delegations from their local conferences to the capital.
“We see this as a form of community service,” Silvestre explained. “It’s a different way of preaching—sharing the gospel while promoting health,” he said. Not everyone runs, but whether people walk, jog, cycle, or skate, the important thing is to move, Silvestre added. “We want our leaders to lead by example and our churches to be creative in promoting healthy lifestyles,” he said.
The original version of this story was posted on the Inter-American Division news site.
