Front Runners & Walkers
Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale's Premier LGBTQ Running and Walking Club
Couch to 5K New Runner Training Ongoing from Feb 14th to April 20th
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.
Member's Spotlight
Christie Henderson
In addition to being the subject of our MEMBER SPOTLIGHT, we are stoked to have Christie joining our Board of Directors as our Triathlon Coordinator.
More about Christie in her own words:
My life has always been on a path of discovery. As time goes in the more enlightened I become with the world around me and understand what is about life to be Rich! Rich in living life, not money rich.
Born and raised in New Zealand at 28, I migrated to Australia for 5 years then immigrated to America in 2001. Since then I’ve traveled the world with my career as a Marine Engineer.
From an early age I was always into sports....read all her story here.
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.
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
What's Coming Up
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
Annual Awards Banquet & Couch to 5K Graduation
Saturday May 4th, 6pm
Hagen Park (Behind Police Station of Wilton Manors)
2020 Wilton Dr, Wilton Manors, FL 33305
We will have Race Season Awards, the Strava Grand Prize Challenges and Humorous Awards as always. Plus delicious Italian catering.
Complimentary wine and beer.
BYOB encouraged if you desire a cocktail
Smart Attire preferred
We will have parking passes but we always recommend carpooling.
Please also put on your thinking caps for our Serious and Funny Awards presentations. You may nominate someone here .
Early Bird Ticket Prices until April 15th
$31 members | $41 non-members
Open the following link below to purchase your tickets (there are 2 options at the page: one for members and the other for non-members): https://www.frwfl.org/social
We want everyone to attend regardless of ability to pay. Please email Eric about reduced price tickets in exchange for banquet setup assistance.
Race to Cure Sarcoma 5K
Our Couch to 5K Goal Race
Saturday, April 20th, 8AM for Club Pictures, 9PM Start
Las Olas Oceanside Park
Let's support our Couch to 5K Graduates as they complete their first 5K. You can find our discount code in our Members Only Area. Register and join our team. As a FRWFL Club Race this is eligible for our Race Incentive Grants
City Bikes Las Olas Triathlon
Sunday, April 14th
Las Olas Oceanside Park
Join our triathlon team for a Sprint, Olympic or Duathlon race. ou can find our discount code in our Members Only Area. Register and join our team. As a FRWFL Club Race this is eligible for our Race Incentive Grants
Night Runners WPB
PRIDE 5K Run/Walk
Saturday, June 8, 4:30PM Carpool from Pride Center, 6:30PM Race
Waterfront Landing, 109 S Flagler Dr, West Palm Beach
Let's celebrate Pride Month with the Font Runners Club in West Palm. Members see our discount code our Members Only Area. Register and join our team
Members-Only Pool Party/Potluck
Sunday, April 21st, 12 Noon to 4PM
Home of Larry Scott & Frank Zurek
2209 NW 3 AV Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311
Spend a day in the sun and pool with friends. Please take a look here at what others are bringing and then RSVP and let us know what you will provide. Although this is a members-only event, members may bring one non-member spouse or guest. Parking is available a very short walk away at Moss Construction, 2101 N Andrews Ave, Wilton Manors, FL 33311
Paddlers Needed
FRWFL Island City Canoe
Race Team
Saturday, May 18th 10am-Noon.
Join the FRWFL team. We will compete in a 7 mile relay race around the City of Wilton Manors and exchange at points throughout the Island City and Middle River. Canoes, life-jackets and paddles will be provided. Join as Wilton Manor's celebrates it's Anniversary. There is also a free BBQ after for all participants.
Be among the 10 allotted members. Register & Pay $20 Here.
Hill Training for Runner & Walkers
Thursday, April 11, 2024 @ 6:15pm
Fort Lauderdale Airport Greenbelt
Enter at NW 10 St and Griffin Road in Dania Beach
Join us as we head for the hills! Greenbelt Park provides a great training location for natural hill work (well, as much as South Florida can provide). Enjoy the ups and downs and great views of the FLL airport runways for takeoff and landings. Bring a shirt to change into for dinner following the workout at Waxy's Pub on 17th Street Causeway
Congratulations to our CLUE CHASERS WINNING RUNNING AND WALKING TEAMS!
Our Sponsors & Contributors
Preferred Dining
Brooklyn Water Bagel
Connect With Us
