Front Runners & Walkers

Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale's Premier LGBTQ Running and Walking Club

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Who We Are

Front Runners & Walkers Fort Lauderdale, is not only an LGBTQ+ 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.

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 our latest sponsor - Our Fund

We are most appreciative that the Our Fund Foundation has granted us $750 to help support our FRWFL Triathlon Team. You can help support their mission by donating here.

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 Team in Broward County Goes to...

By Jason Parsley,

OutSFL, December 2024

For the second year in a row, The Front Runners & Walkers have won the Your Choice Award.

The 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.

"We are proud to have the LGBTQ+ community recognize our organization. This award helps us make ourselves known to others who might enjoy being part of our team," said Eric Runyan, President of the Runners.

They are celebrating their 35th Anniversary ending the year on a high note thanks to their continued growth with up to 260 members and counting who attend their events. They also have a growing philanthropic presence in the community. As the name suggests, the organization is about running and walking, but it is really about celebrating everyone.

"We encourage everyone in their pursuit of a healthy and fit life. We are a diverse group not only in terms of fitness but also in that we welcome individuals from every stripe of the rainbow flag and even some allies as well," said Runyan.

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

The Strava Challenges Grand Prize for this Race Season run from May 1, 2025 to April 30, 2026 will culminate with a drawing to be held at the Annual Banquet, May 2026. 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. The prizes awarded with the 2025 drawing were valued in excess of $1200 for both the runner and the walker categories.
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 30 km Walking Challenge and 100 km Running Challenge. See this month’s Challenges https://www.strava.com/challenges
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 meet or exceed 100% of their challenge. (e.g. A walker who complete 25km earns 1 ticket while one who completes 50km earns 2 tickets)
Members may participate in both the running and the walking challenges and thus potentially accumulate virtual tickets in both. However, members may only accumulate a maximum of 2 tickets per month total for all challenges. (e.g. Although a member might earn 2 tickets for running and 2 tickets for walking, they will only accumulate 2 tickets total for the month. )
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 on our dedicated Strava Challenges Grand Prize web page
Although we encourage all members to participate in the challenges, only those present at the Annual Banquet Drawing will be eligible to win the drawing. Tickets earned by a member for a given category (running or walking) will be entered in that drawing. Additionally, if a member wins in one category they will be ineligible to win in the second category.
Download the Strava App for your phone or watch, create a free account, make sure your privacy settings are set to allow "Everyone" to see your activities, join our Strava Club and join this month’s 100KM Running or 30KM Walking Challenge today.
The Board reserves the right to alter the rules if necessary. Last Revised 5/17/2024

What's Coming Up

Looking for this month's social? Jump to our Social Page

Want to be in better shape? See what Training Club has in store this month.

Did you miss our monthly newsletter? See it here

You need an extra FRWFL Shirt for this Sweaty Summer!

Check out our revamped Online Shop

Our 2025 Shirts are being held in reserve for new members, but an assortment of styles and sizes from previous years are on sale now!

We are grateful that member Steven Ridgway has taken on the role of FRWFL Shop Master. Please order your products on our shop site. If you have questions about picking up your purchase you may email him on shop@frwfl.org

Breakfast on the Beach

After the Saturday Beach Run/Walk

Sat., July 12th, 8:30AM

Ocean Rescue Tower 15

Get ready for a splashy start to your day! Bring your bathing suit and a towel for a refreshing dip, followed by a light breakfast with friends. The Club will have bagels with cream cheese, yogurt, and drinks ready to go—but feel free to bring along any extra treats to share! We’ll meet up at the first traffic light/crosswalk north of Sunrise, right by Ocean Rescue Tower #15. See you there!

Dash, Splash & Dine Sunday Edition

Sunday, July 27th, 7:15PM - after the run/walk

1801 NE 27th Street, Wilton Manors

Members Stephen Payne & Nick Smith-Payne have offered their pool for a swim and dinner after our workout. The club will provide dinner and a soft drinks.