Proud to Run

Proud To Run is presented by Frontrunners/Frontwalkers Chicago. This wonderful event is held the fourth Saturday of June every year, the Saturday of Pride Weekend. (2007 will be the 26th annual Proud To Run!) It is a 10K run, 5K run and 2 Mile fun walk that celebrates lesbian and gay pride. It welcomes everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, who wishes to join in the celebration and show their support. The cost is approximately $25 and the fee includes a t-shirt, post race food and plenty of post race entertainment.

Participation averages about 600 runners and walkers with many more volunteers. Proud To Run also raises funds to help health and service organizations. The event is held on the northside of Chicago in beautiful Lincoln Park. For more information, check out the link for Proud To Run on the frfwchicago.com website or contact the Proud To Run hotline at 312-409-8991.

Proud To Run is Frontrunners/Frontwalkers Chicago's premiere event!

Anniversary Picnic

This event is normally held the second or third Sunday in July. It is held on the northside of Chicago, either at Montrose Harbor or Belmont Harbor on the lakefront. There is always plenty of food and fun. Games can vary from the famous "drag relay race" to the more conventional volleyball. The attendance varies but is usually about 60 people. The picnic is no cost to current club members, friends or guests. This is a pot luck event. The club provides the drinks and entree items and requests club members bring an item to share. For more information, contact the Social Directors. To reach them, send an email to info@frfwchicago.org

Marathon Water Station/Marathon Weekend

This is usually the first or second weekend of October (depending upon the date of the Chicago Marathon). FR/FW Chicago have a unique relationship with the Chicago Marathon. We have hosted a water station for 15 years. For several years, we have hosted a water station at mile 8. Our club has won the award for "best water station" almost every year. The Chicago Marathon Race Director is also a strong supporter of our club. He has participated in Proud To Run and spoken at membership meetings.

The water station is our largest member participated event. It attracts over 170 volunteers to the event. Volunteers help distribute water and Gatorade to nearly 40,000 Chicago Marathon participants. Our water station is near Chicago's gay area on the northside of Chicago. (The marathon starts in downtown Chicago in Grant Park.)

Each year, the water station has a theme that includes music, costumes and the internationally famous FR/FW Chicago male cheerleaders. The cheerleaders are a group of our male members who 'work' the water station (including wearing matching skirts and shaking pom-poms) for the marathon! They are the "international hit" of the marathon and are even shuttled down to the mile 24 area by the Chicago Marathon to provide more motivation.

This water station is a part of a special Chicago Marathon weekend organized by FR/FW Chicago. Other events of the weekend include a pasta party for those members and guests running the marathon. It also includes a run/walk with our group on the day before the marathon. To finish the weekend off, we host a huge post marathon party at a local bar with free food and drinks!

The cost for the weekend is only the fee for the marathon and your food at the pasta party! Hosted housing is sometimes available. The contact person for the weekend would be Event Coordinator. Send an email to info@frfwchicago.org for more information. For Chicago Marathon information, go to their website at www.chicagomarathon.com.

Holiday Party

The annual FR/FW Chicago Holiday Party is held on a Saturday night in December. It is the highlight of the holiday season. There are usually 100 people in attendance. Activities include a gift exchange, good food and good friends. There is also usually a used running shoe or T-Shirt donation where items are collected then donated to local shelters.

The Holiday Party is often held in a party room on the top floor of high rise along the Chicago lakefront or a local restaurant or club. The cost for the event varies, but is always moderate. The contact person would be the Social Directors. To reach them, send an email to info@frfwchicago.org.