The word “sigla” translates from Filipino as “vitality” or “vigor.” SIGLAthon aims to bring out multi-generational low-income immigrants and POC residents, workers, and visitors to join a day of fun activities that promotes active living, healthy eating, and utilization of Slow Streets designated areas.

Part of the event will be a 5K (3-mile) and Senior Mile race in which participants walk or run with their neighbors, family, and community members around SOMA Slow Streets.

Throughout the event, organizations providing health services, relevant programs to our attendees, and/or activities will be tabling to provide information and resources to all the attendees. Also, we will have a tai-chi and hilot (a hands-on healing modality, involving intuition and massage, originating from the Philippines) workshop area after the raceportion of the event which will be available to all attendees.

Participants of the SIGLAthon 5K and Senior Mile races will be determined by registration to the event in March 2024. On the day of the event, participants who registered for the race will receive race bibs with timing chips. Custom designed SIGLAthon medals will be given to race finishers. SIGLAthon trophies will be awarded to overall top finishers by race distance/category and age group determined by the participant’s chip time. There will be aid stations with water for participants during the race.

Additionally, there will be a staging area with a sound system where announcements and music will be played throughout the event. Portable toilets (including an ADA compliant portable toilet) and handwashing stations will be available on site. Trash, recycling, and compost bins will be set up throughout the area.

Though there are already numerous running events that occur in San Francisco each year and SOMCAN already coordinates numerous physical activity workshops, we wanted to organize an event that will introduce the experience of participating in a race but one that is thoughtful of all age groups and sensitive to an individual’s ability to move, including income (since running events have a registration fee). In addition, we want to continue utilizing the SOMA Slow Streets corridor that was fought for by residents, stakeholders, over 10 organizations, SOMCAN’s Community Health Ambassadors, and led by SOMCAN as part of our Policies, Systems, and Environmental (PSE) strategy campaign.