To celebrate progress on its Broad Street revitalization project, the City of Mobile will present a “Lope the Loop” fun run and walk around downtown on July 29.

Work that began in September 2019, funded in large part by a $14 million federal TIGER grant, has brought major changes to much of the Hank Aaron Loop around downtown. The northern section of Broad Street, previously a stretch of uneven cement-slab roadway, has been replaced with smooth asphalt, lined with features to improve its aesthetics and to make it friendlier for cyclists and pedestrians. A traffic circle has replaced a stoplight at Broad and Canal streets, and a multi-use path extends along Broad and Beauregard streets, adding to bike lanes along sections of Beauregard, Water and Canal streets. The total cost of the work has been more than $22 million.

The 3.5-mile run/walk event on Saturday, July 29, is a free event, with T-shirts available for $10. Advance registration and T-shirt ordering is available at mprd.recdesk.com.

According to information released by the city, the event “is open to everyone, and the fun run route is designed to accommodate walkers, runners, cyclists, strollers, dogs, and participants in wheelchairs.”

The check-in for the race will begin at 6 a.m. at the Ice Box, 755 Monroe St., with the ribbon cutting and fun run at approximately 7:30 a.m. Note: The route follows the multi-use path on Broad and Beauregard, but takes St. Joseph and Royal Streets rather than using the bike lanes along Water Street. Lope the Loop is supported by Loper Law LLC, Hop Hounds Brew Pub and Dog Park and The Ice Box.