Lace up and join the party this Friday!

The Black Girls RUN!

Boston chapter and the Saucony activewear brand are preparing to host a free shoe launch celebration party and exclusive shop night on March 6 from 7:30 to 9 p.m.

The party will celebrate the new collaboration to dovetail into the upcoming Saucony Ride 19 and Speed 5 sneakers. These are the second and third shoes the company has created with the running organization.

According to the Black Girls RUN! website, the organization’s mission is “to encourage African American women to make fitness and healthy living a priority.”

The shoe launch will be held at Marathon Sports Boston at 671 Boylston St. Attendees are asked to “come dressed to celebrate, bring [their] best energy, and get ready to party with [their] run crew,” as they will have first access to the latest Saucony launch and professional shoe fittings.

Tiffany Gayle Chenault, a co-ambassador of the Black Girls RUN! Boston chapter, hopes that Black women who are not prone to running will become inspired to start their own running or walking journey.

“This is important to help with health disparities. There are certain communities that are left out of that conversation, and one of them are Black and brown communities. It’s important for these companies to meet us where we are and this is a step of them doing this — in terms of having … [and] promoting shoes that are geared toward Black women … so that they can see that we are included in this space,” she said.

Attendees can walk in a red-carpet entrance and Black Girls RUN! tent pop-up, take photos with fun props (pink boas, crowns, statement glasses, etc.), and dine on themed food, drinks and desserts. The event will also have door prizes and giveaways throughout the night.

Chenault said this sneaker collaboration with Saucony will help to change the narrative about running.

“[Some] maybe think that running is such a white sport in such a white space … if shoe companies are about being inclusive, making sure that everyone is included — this is one way to do it.

… From the business standpoint, there’s a pool of people, there’s a community pool here that most folks aren’t tapping into,” she said.

Chenault added that she hopes attendees will take away excitement and support from the event.

“Our focus is Black women.

… We want them to get excited about moving, to get excited about walking, to get excited about running. We want them to see … you’re part of something much bigger than you would think.”

ON THE WEB

Learn more about the shoe launch event at eventbrite.com/e/black-girls-run-x-saucony-shoelaunch-party-tickets-1983046079205

Learn more about Black Girls RUN! at blackgirlsrun.com