The Greensboro Parks and Recreation Department will host the 16th Annual Downtown Greenway Run & Block Party from 4-7 pm, Saturday, September 27, in LoFi Park, 500 N. Eugene Street.

Registration is open for the one-mile and 5K events. People are welcome to run, walk, or stroll either distance. The cost is $25 per person for the one-Mile or $40 per person for the 5K, with discounted rates for youth ages 4-17 years; children 3 and under are free.

New this year, registered participants may get a "sneak peek" along parts of the future Western Branch section of the Downtown Greenway, which is currently under construction. While this corridor is not yet complete or open for use, crews are working hard to allow temporary access during this event for runners and walkers to see the transformation underway.

Mayor Nancy Vaughan will serve as honorary chair for this year's event, and the official race starter for the one-mile and 5K. Everyone is invited to attend, for what will be an early kickoff to future festivities in the spring as the Downtown Greenway construction nears completion in the coming months, and plans are in progress for the final ribbon-cutting and month-long celebrations in May 2026.

Proceeds will directly support the Downtown Greenway’s free community programs offered year-round. People of all ages and dogs on-leash are welcome and may participate on the run/walk course. Registered participants will receive an official event t-shirt, post-run refreshments, a drink ticket for beer (21+) from Joymongers Brewing Company (or soda or juice), and entry into an array of prize drawings.

The block party is free to attend, and all in the community are welcome to join. It will feature live music by RetroVinyl, food to purchase from local food trucks Hummingbird Wings, Sushi Empire, Mo Empanadas, and Cailee Belle’s Sweet Shoppe, and beverages from Joymongers. The activities continue with tailgate-style games, children's activities, face painting, a photo booth, a Maker’s Market, local vendors, special giveaways, and more.

Downtown Greenway programs and events are made possible by the following sponsors: the City of Greensboro, Dawn S. Chaney Foundation, Fleet Feet Greensboro/High Point/Burlington, Fox Rothschild, Greensboro Parks Foundation, Joymongers Brewing Co., The Cemala Foundation, and VF Corporation.