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.
Donate to FRWFL Pride Center Water Fountain
We are seeking to place a water fountain dedicated to FRWFL (with plaque) in the plaza beside the Pride Center. Please make your tax deductible donation via Zelle (info@frwfl.org, with "for water fountain" notation) or if you prefer to donate via credit card use this Zeffy link **To Avoid the Zeffy Contribution (CC Fee) when paying select "Other" and leave the "Contribution" blank.**
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
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 5:00 PM
3, 4 or 6 mile Run or Walk
Pride Center, Wilton Manors
What's Coming Up
Couch to 5K Returns
Free New Runner Training
Begins Wednesday, January 29th at 6:30PM @ Holiday Park
Front Runners & Walkers Fort Lauderdale (FRWFL) is thrilled to offer a FREE 9-week training program designed just for new and aspiring runners! Whether you’re taking your very first steps or looking to build confidence, we’ll help you cross that 5K finish line – and have fun doing it! Complete our Interest Form or see more details at frwfl.org/couchto5k
🌟 Here’s the Deal:
We’ll guide you through every step to prepare for a 5K race.
Stick with it, and you’ll earn FREE entry to our goal race - The Pride Center's Rainbow 5K on April 6th.
Training happens 3 times a week at our regular club meetups.
No membership required – just show up and let’s get moving!
📞 Call 954-775-2311, Ext 1 or 📧 email race@frwfl.org if you have questions!
✨ Calling All Runners! – We need volunteers to help guide and cheer on our new runners. R
FRWFL TRY-A-TRI
TRIATHLON TRAINING PROGRAM
Our Triathlon Team, now 6 years old, welcomes those who'd like to dip their toe into the sport. As part of our ongoing effort to support members' athletic goals and interests, we are exploring the possibility of holding a triathlon training program, similar to our Couch to 5K, for 2025. We have created a questionnaire that aims to assess your interest, gather insights on your expectations, and understand your experience level in triathlon. By doing so, we could design a program that meets the diverse needs of our members, providing valuable training, guidance, and community support for those interested in triathlons. Complete the questionnaire. To contact our Triathlon Coordinator, Tom Conlon, email tri@frwfl.org
Our Sponsors & Contributors
Donate to Front Runners & Walkers Fort Lauderdale
Preferred Dining
Brooklyn Water Bagel
Connect With Us
