Over 500 runners participated in the first ever Fairfield Mombies Mother's Day 5K run on Saturday at Jennings Beach.

The Mombies are a flash mob group of mothers who dress as zombies to raise awareness and money toward breast cancer research. Since 2016, the Mombies have supported the Cancer Couch Foundation, a Southport-based nonprofit organization that raises money for metastatic breast cancer research.

The group has increased their following and outreach efforts over the years – raising over $380,000.

"There is no 5K without you guys here to race, so thank you for showing up,” said Terry Davis, the founder of Mombies.

Their fundraising efforts are personal, as four active mombies are cancer survivors. Caryn Sullivan, a Mombie, is currently fighting metastatic breast cancer. She said having the support of the group is huge and their funding makes it possible for more women to have success stories.

"I feel blessed, I feel grateful. I feel sad that my metastatic breast cancer sisters aren't here today,” said Sullivan.

"This is community, this is the best of people coming together for purpose,” said Davis.

They finished the day with a classic Mombie flash mob.

News 12 was a media sponsor and its parent company Optimum was a presenting sponsor.