ORLANDO, Fla. — Hundreds of people gathered for the onePULSE Foundation's annual 4.9K Community Rainbow Run in South Orlando on Saturday.

The event serves as a tribute to the 49 people who lost their lives in the Pulse Nightclub massacre of 2016.

Deborah Bowie, the Executive Director of the onePULSE Foundation, expressed her appreciation for the community's ongoing support.

"The fact that it's been seven years and it's still this strong really demonstrates to us that the community loves to come together and show their love and unity for the community, especially in times where the LGBTQIA community is under attack," she said.

The race is part of a week-long series of events organized by the onePULSE Foundation to honor the victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting.

For some, this year's event holds particular significance as concerns for the safety of LGBTQ+ individuals remain high. A travel advisory for LGBTQ+ people is still active in the state of Florida.

Equality Florida and the Human Rights Campaign issued the travel advisory last month in response to several new laws targeting the LGBTQ+ community passed by state lawmakers.

Despite these challenges, Deborah Bowie remains optimistic, seeing the large turnout for the race as an opportunity for change.

"I think what it shows me is that people haven't given up," she said. "And in the face of so much intolerance, there is still a commitment to love and unity. That's why showing up here today means so much. That's why the theme this year is strength."

Brittlyn Peña, a local resident and mother, brought her family to the event to show support for their community.

Reflecting on the tragedy, Peña revealed that seven years ago, she almost went to Pulse on the night of the shooting.

This personal connection reinforces her determination to teach her three daughters the importance of treating others with kindness and respect.

"Love is love. It doesn't matter who you love, just that you are loving. Showing kindness is the most important thing in our household," Peña said. "And it's definitely reinforcing that we are all people. It doesn't matter what opinions, what you look like, anything. You're a person."

The proceeds from Saturday's event will benefit the onePULSE Foundation, contributing towards the establishment of a national memorial and museum.