On Sunday, March 8, 2026, Long Beach Together We Walk 5K Walk and Fun Run brings neighbors, families, and friends to Shoreline Park for a simple but powerful idea: when cancer touches one life, it touches many, and no one should have to face it alone.

 

Hosted by Cancer Support Community South Bay, Together We Walk is both a fundraiser and a tribute. This event honors the legacy of Judith Opdahl, whose leadership helped grow the organization’s impact across the South Bay for decades, and whose commitment to compassionate support continues to shape how the community shows up for one another.

 

Why Long Beach Together We Walk matters to families impacted by cancer

 

Cancer Support Community South Bay has spent years building a steady place for people to land when life feels unsteady. Since 1987, the organization has supported tens of thousands of cancer patients and loved ones, offering free programs that combine emotional support, practical education, and wellness tools.

 

That is what makes this walk feel bigger than a race route. For many participants, it is a chance to turn a hard chapter into forward motion. Some come to celebrate a survivor. Some come to honor someone they miss. Others come because they want to help make sure support stays available for the next family that needs it.

 

Together We Walk is also back for its second annual year, which means it is becoming a tradition. Long Beach has a way of rallying around causes that are personal and real, and Shoreline Park is the kind of setting that invites people to arrive early, breathe in the ocean air, and feel connected before the first steps even begin.

 

What to expect at the 5K Walk and Fun Run at Shoreline Park

 

The day is designed to be welcoming, whether you are walking for reflection or showing up with a group ready to cheer each other on. Check in begins at 9:00 AM, and the walk and run officially start at 10:00 AM. The full event runs through early afternoon, giving participants time to settle in, connect, and enjoy the morning at a comfortable pace.

 

This is not just for runners. It is a community walk with a fun run option, which means families can participate together, friends can form teams, and supporters can join even if their pace is more stroll than sprint. Leashed, friendly dogs are invited too, which often turns a meaningful cause into a more relaxed, neighborhood kind of gathering.

 

In person participants can also receive free event t shirts, which adds a small but memorable detail that helps the day feel unified. It is one of those touches that makes the crowd look like a team, because in a very real way, that is what everyone becomes when they show up for one another.

 

How to register, fundraise, and invite your people to join

 

Registration is expected to open on Friday, January 16, 2026. The flyer also highlights three ways to participate: register, fundraise, and walk or run. If you have a friend group, a family circle, or a workplace crew that likes to do something purposeful together, this is an easy event to rally around.

 

Fundraising can be personal or team based. Some people donate. Others ask friends to sponsor a mile. Others turn it into a group goal, where every small contribution adds up to real support for counseling, wellness programs, and educational resources. Participation costs are listed as up to $50 or less depending on age, which keeps the event accessible while still fueling the mission behind it.

 

The event is also supported by the Port of Long Beach as a wellness sponsor, a local signal that this cause matters across the community. If you want the official details and registration information, visit the organizer’s site here: CLICK HERE

 

If you have been looking for a Long Beach event that feels both active and meaningful, this is one worth putting on the calendar now. Bring someone you love, invite a friend who has been through a tough season, or show up for a family you have never met but still want to support.

 

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Event Details

 

Together We Walk: 5K Walk and Fun Run
• Date: Sunday, March 8, 2026
• Time: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
• Check In: 9:00 AM
• Walk and Run Start: 10:00 AM
• Location: Shoreline Park, 200 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA
• Notes: Leashed, friendly dogs invited. Free t shirts for in person participants. Registration opens Friday, January 16, 2026. Participation cost up to $50 or less depending on age.
• Details: Hosted by Cancer Support Community South Bay in honor of Judith Opdahl’s legacy.

 

Event and organizer information: CLICK HERE