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 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
FRWFL Pride Center Water Fountain Dedication
Thanks to all who donated we will be annoucing the date of the dedication ceremony soon!
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,
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
Race Grants Fundraiser at Dom Caruso's Cucina
Monday, March 24th, 4:30-9:30PM
Dom Caruso's (Formerly Bona) 2468 Wilton Dr
We are pleased that the new owners of this location will support the FRWFL Race Grants Fund! The club will receive 10% of all receipts from the restaurant tonight—no flyer needed! So, invite your friends and family to dine anytime today, and help spread the word on social media. While you're there, don’t forget to grab a raffle ticket for a chance to win an amazing gift basket!
Couch to 5K Continues
Volunteer Trainers Needed
We've had a great response to this years training. We need our runners to take a turn helping to build the running component of the club by training our newbies. It's super simple. See the training plan on our Couch to 5K Page and sign up here to volunteer as trainer for day.
Not yet a runner, but would like to join the training? Sign up here.
Our Sponsors & Contributors
Donate to Front Runners & Walkers Fort Lauderdale
Preferred Dining
Brooklyn Water Bagel
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