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    AIDS Run & Walk Chicago 2023. Photo by Vern Hester
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    A member of The Lakeside Pride Marching Band at AIDS Run & Walk Chicago 2023. Photo by Vern Hester
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    Danica Lynn in performance at AIDS Run & Walk Chicago 2023. Photo by Vern Hester
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    AIDS Run & Walk Chicago 2023. Photo by Vern Hester
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    AIDS Run & Walk Chicago 2023. Photo by Vern Hester
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    AIDS Run & Walk Chicago 2023. Photo by Vern Hester
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    AIDS Run & Walk Chicago 2023. Photo by Vern Hester
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    AIDS Run & Walk Chicago 2023. Photo by Vern Hester
  • fromleft_AIDSFoundationCEOJohnPellerMayorElectBrandonJohnsonand4thWardAldermanLamontJ.Robinson
    From left, AIDS Foundation CEO John Peller, Mayor Brandon Johnson, and 4th Ward Alderman Lamont J. Robinson at AIDS Run & Walk Chicago 2023. Photo by Vern Hester
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    Members of The Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus in performance at AIDS Run & Walk Chicago 2023. Photo by Vern Hester
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    Signing in before the run. Photo by Vern Hester
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    Soloist Sean Mallory with The Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus. Photo by Vern Hester
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    State Senator Mike Simmons. Photo by Vern Hester
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    Stretching before the run. Photo by Vern Hester
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    The Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus in performance. Photo by Vern Hester
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    The Oscar Mayer Weinermobile. Photo by Vern Hester
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    The trombone section of The Lakeside Pride Marching Band. Photo by Vern Hester
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    Photo by Vern Hester
The 32nd annual AIDS Run & Walk Chicago took place Sept. 30 from Soldier Field, this year with the motto “Show Up, Show Out.”

About 2,500 participants—with a united goal of reaching $500,000 for local organizations assisting Chicagoans living with HIV/AIDS—gathered at the south end of the stadium for the event, which each year is organized and sponsored by the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC).

Mayor Brandon Johnson spoke at the event; additional speakers included Ald. Lamont Robinson, state Sen. Mike Simmons and AFC CEO and President John Peller. Award-winning actress and vocalist Donica Lynn, Lakeside Pride Marching Band and Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus performed before the race. McDonald’s provided breakfasts for participants, who were also given cans of Coors beer after the race. The Oscar Meyer Wienermobile was also on hand for the event, which was emceed by WGN personality Dean Richards.

Johnson said in his comments: “This walk, this run, is making a difference in people’s lives. But as you know, as much as this is exciting news, we have a lot of work to do.”

Sponsors of the AIDS Run & Walk Chicago include Abbvie, Kraft/Hienz, Aetna Health, U.S. Cellular, Discover, ViiV Healthcare, Gilead, Wendy’s, Pepsico, Molson Coors, ITW, McDonald’s and WGN.

Donations for AIDS Run & Walk Chicago will be accepted up until Nov. 10. For more information on the Chicago AIDS Walk/Run or to donate, go to http://aidsrunwalk.org.

AIDS Run & Walk Chicago photos by Vern Hester.