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

St Pete Run Fest & Club Road Trip

November 14-16, 2025

See our dedicated page for details

Funky Fun Run with Running Wild

TRAINING CLUB EVENT

Thursday October 16, 2025, 6:15 PM

2563 E Sunrise Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304

Join us for a fun run with long time FRWFL sponsors Running Wild! We’ll meet at the store, located on Sunrise near the Intracoastal. After we hear about the latest in running gear, we’ll head over the bridge for a run along A1A. Dinner to follow with the group at Parrot Lounge, near the corner of A1A and Sunrise. Don’t miss it!

Season's Final Dash Splash & Dine

Wed, Oct 8th, 8:15P Immediately following the run/walk

Home of Donald Gagnon

1727 NE 27th Drive; Wilton Manors 33334

Join us for 2025's last post-run pool party. A lite dinner and beverages will be served. Convenient parking is available on the street or just a short walk away at Board of Realtors 1765 NE 26th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33305

Outshine LGBTQ Film Fest

Men's Spotlight Film + After Party: The Children of Silverstreet

Saturday, October 18

This year again we are community partners for Outshine. We need five volunteer ushers who will receive free admission to the film and after party. We have a generous 20% discount code FRWFL25 that applies to all festival films. Get your tickets for the film and after party here.

FILM DETAILS

Saturday, October 18, 7:15 PM

Paradigm Cinemas: Gateway Fort Lauderdale

1820 E Sunrise Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304

AFTER PARTY

J.Mark’s Restaurant

1245 N Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304

Open Bar | Lite Bites | Live Entertainment

9:30 PM ‘til late

The Children of Silverstreet

When four siblings are left to fend for themselves after their mother disappears, they hire Miss Nelly—a flamboyant, openly gay aspiring actor—as their fake nanny to avoid being split up by social services. What begins as a ruse soon blossoms into a heartfelt connection.

Drag Bingo Fundraiser for FRWFL Race Grants Programs

Scandals Bar

Tuesday, October 21st, 7:45PM

Be there on time or before as Bingo Begins at 8:00pm

This event supports our two Race Grant Programs described below.

Bring Cash lol, is always helpful.

Looking forward to see there to have some fun and support a great cause.

Alternative Saturday Meetup Location

Run, Walk & Breakfast for

Ujima Men's Collective

Saturday, October 24th, 7:30AM

Park at Running Wild

2563 E Sunrise Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304

Warmup & Run at Gallery One Hotel

Ujima Men's Collective is a conference for gay men of color. We will host them at our workout as well as serve breakfast to all run/walk participants. The run/walk will begin from their host hotel - Gallery One Doubletree and end at Running Wild for breakfast, prize drawing and 15% discount for everyone attending at Running Wild which will open early for this event.

Help Wanted

Marketing Coordinator for FRWFL

As we meet people in our community at various events we are always amazed to hear that many are not aware that there is a LGBTQ+ Running/Walking club in Fort Lauderdale. Please consider volunteering your time to promote FRWFL through social media, print and broadcast. Familiarity with Instagram preferred, but a willingness to learn is sufficient. Email or call 954-903-4383 Eric for details.