Front Runners & Walkers
Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale's Premier LGBTQ Running and Walking Club
Who We Are
Front Runners & Walkers Fort Lauderdale, is not only an LGBTQA friendly running and walking group, it also has a social component that provides a supportive environment for its membership. The group offers activities designed for runners and walkers of all abilities. Although the group primarily has a LGBTQ membership we welcome people from all walks of life and see diversity as a strength. The club seeks to build bridges of belonging across south Florida's running & walking communities.
2023-2024 Race Season Superlatives
Evan Richard
Highlights: Fourteen events, including one marathon and six half marathons
Craig Booth
Highlights: Thirteen events, including four half marathons
Thomas Nguyen
Highlights: Gay Games 2023 medalist, plus two triathlons
Michael Nendick
Highlights: Nine events, including five half marathons and two triathlons
IN THE NEWS
The Best Sports League & Best Sports Team in Broward County Goes to...
By Jason Parsley,
The Front Runners organization started in San Francisco in 1974 as a jogging class. In 1978, they adopted the name Front Runners after Patricia Nell Warren's 1974 novel The Front Runner, about a gay track coach and a gay runner. Today there are running clubs all over the world including Fort Lauderdale.
As the name suggests the organization is about running and walking, but as Eric Runyan, president of the club, says, it's really about celebrating everyone.
“The comment that I hear most often from our visitors and members is how welcoming, and friendly we are for a sports organization,” Runyan said. “While we offer opportunities and push our participants to excel and be more fit, we celebrate everyone's efforts, whether they place first in a major race or simply attend and walk at our meetup on a regular basis.”
The group meets regularly three times a week on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. at Holiday Park; Saturdays at 7:30 a.m. at the Galleria Mall; and Sundays at 5 p.m. at the Pride Center in Wilton Manors.
“We are truly a diverse sporting community that brings together people from across the LGBTQ spectrum and our allies,” Runyan said.
Youth Race Grants
In order to promote the sport of running, racing and general health among LGBTQ Young Adults (18-22) who are residents of Broward County Florida, Front Runners & Walkers Fort Lauderdale is offering a limited number of Race Grants worth up to $50 to pay whole or in part for races in Broward County. Jump to our Race Grants page to apply.
Strava Challenges Grand Prize Contest
Strava is an app that can run on your phone or smartwatch to track your runs, walks and other athletic activities. If you use another tracker app, most will sync to the Strava Platform. Each month a "Challenge" is issued for Running and one for Walking. We also encourage other club members by giving them "kudos" for their workouts. At the 2024 Annual Banquet will will have a Strava Challenges Grand Prize Drawing. Here is how you participate:
The Strava Challenges Grand Prize for this Race Season run from October 1, 2023 to April 30, 2024 will culminate with a drawing to be held at the Annual Banquet in May 2024. One winner will be drawn for the Running Category and one for the Walking Category.
The actual prizes have yet to be determined, but we expect them to be of some significant value.
Participants must be members in good standing of FRWFL at the time of the drawing and must be members during any month in which they accumulate virtual tickets.
Participants accumulate virtual tickets by actively participating in a Strava Challenge each month. Each month there will be a 50 km Walking Challenge and 100 km Running Challenge.
Members must choose to participate either in the Running Category or The Walking Category. Due to the possibility of injury by a runner, or walker who wishes to start running, members may change categories once during the term of this contest, by notifying the Club President.
Participants will earn one (1) virtual ticket when they complete at least 50% of their challenge and may earn one (1) additional virtual ticket when they complete over 100% of their challenge. (e.g. A walker who complete 25km earns 1 ticket while one who completes 51km earns 2 tickets)
Members may join the contest at any time, but increase their odds in the drawing by joining early.
Although members may use any tracking app that syncs to Strava, only results in Strava will be considered official.
The official Ticket Tally will be viewable in our Members only Website https://www.frwfl.org/members-only
As this is the first instance of this contest the Board reserves the right to alter the rules if necessary.
Don't miss a kilometer! See our Strava Page for all the details
Where To Find Us
Join us for a run or walk.
Wednesday at 7PM
3, 4 or 6 mile Run or Walk
Holiday Park (Between the Gymnasium and the Football Fields), Fort Lauderdale
Saturday at 7:30 AM
3, 4 or 6 mile Run or Walk
Galleria Mall
Meet behind the Bank of America, west end of the mall, Fort Lauderdale
Sunday at 6:00 PM
3, 4 or 6 mile Run or Walk
Pride Center, Wilton Manors
Welcome Newest Board Member!
Ray Thrower, Member Relations
Few members are more tireless in welcoming newcomers to our meetups than Ray. In addition to continuing these efforts, Ray will also assist in promoting volunteerism and service to the Club. You can reach him at MemberRelations@frwfl.org.
What's Coming Up
Bowling & Pizza Party
Sat. July 13th, 4pm
Our bowling socials are an all-time favorite! For just $17.75, paid directly to the bowling alley upon arrival, you'll get shoe rental and two games of bowling. The Club will provide pizza, wings, and soft drinks. Even if you don't bowl, come out for the fellowship. Wear your club shirt to show your FRWFL pride, and feel free to bring a friend or potential member!
Dash, Splash & Dine
Wed, July 17th, 8:15PM, Immediately following our Run/Walk
Home of Don & Mark
1727 NE 27th Dr, Wilton Manors, FL 33334
Each summer, we host a brief pool party at least once a month following our Run/Walk event. It's a casual, come-as-you-are gathering. The Club provides a light dinner and soft drinks, and while you're welcome to bring your own beverages, it's entirely optional.
Breakfast on the Beach
After the Saturday Beach Run/Walk
Sat., July 13th, 8:30AM
Don't forget your bathing suit and a towel for a quick dip and a light breakfast! The Club will be providing bagels with cream cheese, yogurt, and beverages. Feel free to bring any extra goodies you'd like to share. We'll be meeting at the first traffic light/crosswalk north of Sunrise by Ocean Rescue Tower #15. See you there!
Our Sponsors & Contributors
Donate to Front Runners & Walkers Fort Lauderdale
Preferred Dining
Brooklyn Water Bagel
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