Pulse shooting victims remembered at 8th annual Rainbow Run in Orlando

ORLANDO, Florida. – Next week, Central Florida will remember the victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting. On June 12, 2016, a gunman opened fire, killing 49 people.

Saturday morning, a 4.9 km run took place in tribute to the victims. It is held every year and this year's eighth annual event brought together hundreds of participants.

The 8th annual CommUNITY Rainbow Run started and ended downtown at City Hall.

Samantha Duncan, one of the runners, brought her children to run with her.

“We lived in Delaney Park and we heard everything that night, my husband was here, it was terrifying and we will never forget it,” she said.

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There was lots of fun and Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer was there to thank people for their support.

“It's hard to truly imagine that eight years have passed since the Pulse tragedy, but the community is coming together to remember these 49 people and do what we always do, which is come together and supporting each other,” Dyer told News 6.

Duncan said it's important to never forget what happened.

“Now I have two kids and I want to make sure they are aware that love is love and I want to make sure they hear it from me and we make it an annual thing,” she declared.

Proceeds from the race will go toward building a permanent memorial at the Pulse site, which is now owned by the city of Orlando.

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