Amidst an atmosphere pulsating with festive enthusiasm and camaraderie, Dorchester’s Pope John Paul Park II came alive last Saturday as hundreds of runners converged at the edge of the Neponset River for the Dorchester Running Club’s annual Halfway to Dot Day 5k Road Race.

“We started the event in 2013 with the purpose of just getting the neighborhood and community together to run and walk, promote fitness, and volunteer,” said Stefaine O’Shea, the club’s president. 

The event started at 9 a.m. and carried on for roughly two hours. More than 300 runners registered for the event, with many donning Christmas-themed attire.

Adults and teenagers registered for $25 and children under 12 were encouraged to contribute a minimum donation of $5, with the entirety of the proceeds dedicated to funding post-secondary and trade school scholarships for Dorchester’s youth.

Along the course, participants passed by cheer teams and water tables decked out in holiday colors. The finish line was at the Pope John Paul Park II, where more cheer teams and Santa Claus waited. 

Mark Lopez, who ran in the race, said that seeing other runners “all decked out in holiday gear is really fun and lively.” Like many other runners, Lopez came out with a green, sparkly Christmas hat to run joined by his dog Bailey in a matching green outfit. 

“Being part of a community event while also getting some exercise with my dog is great,” Lopez said. “Bailey loves getting attention, so a friendly race like this is perfect for her.”

Ava Murphy, expressed gratitude for the race’s cheerful and festive spirit and said she “loves Dot Day, so why not celebrate halfway to Dot Day as we near Christmas?”

Dot Day is the annual celebration that celebrates the vibrant culture, diversity, and community spirit of Dorchester. The community gathers on the first Sunday of June for the traditional parade up Dorchester Avenue.

“It’s so wholesome to see families coming together and enjoying themselves,” Murphy said. “My favorite part about Dot Day and this race is seeing young kids having fun.”

Livy Thompson, another participant, came out with her husband and their 7-year-old daughter.

“It’s nice to get fresh air and do some family bonding through this event,” said Thompson, who jogged alongside her family smiling in red Santa hats.

Among the many local organizations that turned out was a team from Dorchester Youth Soccer and a Girl Scout troop. 

“We also have young people from a group called Sole Train, a youth organization with students from Boston public schools that uses running as a form of goal setting,” O’Shea said. “It’s great that we’ve got a lot of young people running.”

Besides their group runs, O’Shea said the Dorchester Running Club participates in volunteer opportunities around the neighborhood. Events for One Boston Day and the Boston Marathon, park cleanups and the Halfway to Dot Day 5k Road Race are all part of their volunteer work.