Annual Totally Knock Out Breast Cancer 5K unites community in support and awareness

Around 100 athletes, mostly women dressed in pink tutus and wigs, gathered early Sunday morning at Van Cortlandt Park for this year’s annual Totally Knock Out breast cancer awareness 5K walk and run.

The event brought together a spirited group of participants, many of whom were either survivors themselves or had family members who had battled the disease. As breast cancer remains the most common cancer globally, the walk served as a symbol of unity, support and hope for those affected.

Now in its fourth year, the event was organized by Female Fight Club, Riverdale’s all-female gym dedicated to women’s health and empowerment. Registration was free, to maximize inclusivity, and while the event did not raise any funds, its larger goal was to foster a deep sense of local awareness and solidarity.

Johanna Edmondson, founder of Female Fight Club, expressed her gratitude for the enthusiastic turnout since the event’s inception. In its first year, the 5K was sponsored by the Susan G. Komen Foundation, a national charity known for its breast cancer advocacy. This year, the walk/run was part of a nationwide initiative, with dozens of similar rallies held across the country.

After the walk, participants enjoyed a collective plant-based lunch at Hugo’s Gourmet Market, a sponsor of the race.

A 2022 study from Paris-Saclay University, among others, found a plant-based diet is positively associated with reducing breast cancer risks.

The morning kicked off with two lively performances by Batalá New York, an all-woman, Black-led Afro-Brazilian percussion group, energizing participants for the 5K. Natalie Sanchez, a board member of Female Fight Club and a breast cancer survivor, shared her personal connection to the cause, recalling her diagnosis at 35 and the sense of isolation she felt post-treatment. 

Whether survivors or not, many participants seemed to find a long-missing sense of community in the club’s women-exclusive space, where members have grown to form close bonds. Another participant, who was not a gym member, said her grandmother died from breast cancer and had only heard of the event by way of Edmondson’s work in the community.

Kim Patterson, a Female Fight Club instructor, praised Edmondson’s leadership in supporting and empowering women, including the club’s recent initiative offering mobile mammogram screenings.

Local leaders were also present, with Councilman Eric Dinowitz commending the community Edmondson had built since the pandemic. He said people often approach his office for solutions regarding breast cancer or health, but “the work we do in the City Council or the assembly pales in comparison to what you all are building here.”