By Cherri Gregg

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Hundreds are expected to attend the Legs Against Arms 5K Run at St. Joseph’s University this Sunday. The proceeds go to preventing violence in the city.

“We saw people just being terrified to go outside. They’re not exercising. They’re really struggling in many communities where the violence level is really high. So, we wanted to come up with something to show people that Philadelphia is a great place, and really a safe place.”

Legs Against Arms founder, Patricia Harner says the Physicians for Social Responsibility started the race six years ago to rally the Philadelphia community against violence.  But the race soon turned into a way for families and friends to honor loved ones lost to violence.

“It started with the first team, called Team Trish, who was running in honor of their mother, friend and sister Trish McDermott who was shot in 2005 on 9th and Chestnut in Philadelphia as she walked from public transportation to her job at Pennsylvania Hospital.”

Harner says kids even get into the act, creating t-shirts before the race, painting a picture of Philadelphia without the violence.

“It’s fun to see the kids acknowledged and respond when in the spotlight.”

For more info about the race, go to LegsAgainstArms.org.