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

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

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

Night Runners WPB Pride 5K

Saturday, June 21st, 6:30PM

Downtown West Palm Beach, FL

Let's support our fellow Front Runners club up north and have a great time to boot. We will arrange a carpool from the Pride Center the day of the race so don't worry about the drive. Be sure to use our discount code from our Members-Only Site, Register and join our team when doing so, then Apply for a Race Grant

Drag Bingo Night: Fundraiser for Front Runners & Walkers Fort Lauderdale

Scandals Bar and Saloon

3073 NE 6th Ave, Wilton Manors, FL 33334-2643, United States

Join us for an epic night of entertainment and fundraising! Enjoy fabulous drag queens, exciting bingo games, and a chance to support FRWFL's running programs. Come early, grab a great seat, and let's make a difference while having a blast!

Come cheer on our FRWFL Team..

Island City Canoe Relay Race

Wilton Manors, Sat, May 17th, 10AM to 12 Noon

Each year the city of Wilton Manors holds a canoe relay race around the island city and a free barbeque to celebrate it's anniversary. Root us on from any number of spots along the river or for the finish and barbeque at Richardson Park.

FRWFL Triathlon Team

305 Triathlon

Sunday, May 18th, 7AM

Key Biscayne, Miami

One of our favorite race locations is Key Biscayne. Register for the race and be sure to use our discount code from our Members-Only Site then apply for a Race Grant for this Club Race.