Proud to Run held its annual 5/10K run and 5K walk Pride Race June 27 at Montrose Grove, just west of Montrose Beach, with the theme Spark Joy, Speak Out and Shine On.
Over 1,200 participants gathered on a cool and cloudy, and then warm and partly sunny, morning to raise needed funds for this year’s community partners—Youth Empowerment Performance Project (YEPP), Trans Up Front Illinois (TUF IL) and Lighthouse Foundation. Proud to Run instituted a new policy this year which will see community partners roll off after three years so new organizations can be helped by these funds.
Since its founding in 1982, Proud to Run has raised $1.3 million for multiple Chicagoland community partner LGBTQ+ and allied organizations.
This year, Proud to Run has partnered with Brave Space Alliance’s Dignity Dash and AIDS Foundation Chicago’s AIDS Run and Walk to, according to Proud to Run Board Member Erika Snell, “increase visibility and impact with these other organizations that have their own audience and reach with some overlap to maximize the number of participants and donors for each of our races. Collaborating makes us stronger together.”
Ahead of the race, event emcee and The Closet Unlocked Founder/CEO Darius Caffey kicked off the event by calling on everyone to honor and remember those in the LGBTQ+ community “whose lives continue to inspire us. Today we remember [the late Chicago Frontrunners/Frontwalkers member] Curtis Tom and [the late trans activist] Elise Malary, whose leadership and advocacy continue to have a lasting impact on our communities and in our lives.
“We also honor the black transgender women whose lives were taken this past year, along with every LGBTQ+ person whose life ended too soon. May we carry their memories with us, not only in this moment, but in how we care for one another and ourselves every day. May we continue honoring their lives through compassion, courage, community and today’s celebration.”
Proud to Run Board Member Patti Flynn told Windy City Times that, “I’m floored by what today showed us: what’s possible when we stick together — queer people and allies, nonprofits and sponsors, men, women and nonbinary people, all showing up for each other. This was our biggest Proud to Run since before the pandemic, but for me it’s also deeply personal.
“When I first found this community, I was newly out as a trans woman, and it was the first place I got to race as myself. At a time when many trans athletes are feeling increasingly excluded, running remains one of the few endurance sports still creating space for inclusion and belonging. Today felt like resilience and joy in action.”
Snell also told Windy City Times that, “Spark Joy, Speak Out and Shine On reflects our belief that Pride should celebrate joy while also reminding us of the importance of activism. We wanted the theme to feel hopeful and empowering for the LGBTQ+ community, while recognizing the need to use our voices, stand up for others and support one another during this moment.”
Illinois state Rep. Kelly Cassidy (14th District) and Chicago Ald. Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (48th Ward) returned this year to cheer on the participants. They also blew horns at the start line for each race pace group.
Proud to Run Operations Manager Michael Clemons did the countdown for each race pace group.
Caffey also announced the gold, silver and bronze medal 5K and 10K run winners in three categories: female, nonbinary and male. Cassidy and Manaa-Hoppenworth gave the 5K winners their medals and prizes; Walgreens Enterprise Performance Strategy Principal and Pride Alliance BRG Head Carter Koen and WXRT-93 FM radio host Marty Lennartz did the same for the 10K winners. Walgreens and WXRT-93 FM were both event sponsors.
The 5K female winners were Vallery Muhalia (gold), Sydney Rankin (silver) and Vanessa Righeimer (bronze); the 5K nonbinary winners were Helen Keener (gold), Jax Whitehead (silver) and Emily Sturges (bronze) and the 5K male winners were Tyler Ackerman (gold), Scott Bartuska (silver) and Fernando Fernandez (bronze).
Ackerman also ran the fastest time (18:51) out of all the gold medal 5K winners.
The 10K female winners were Andrea Messing (gold), Cece Lampa (silver) and Samantha Salinas (bronze); the 10K nonbinary winners were Paul Mahr (gold), Kirstin Schafer (silver) and Tori Kingman (bronze) and the 10K male winners were Eric Lesch (gold), Pedro Suarez (silver) and Anthony Ott (bronze).
Lesch also ran the fastest time (36:28) out of all the gold medal 10K winners.
Ahead of the race; Ace, Audra, Irma, Shannon and Vanessa from Out There Run led a lively warm-up session for the participants. DJ Sandra Suave spun tunes prior to and throughout the race.
Koen, Lennartz and Arcus Behavioral Health and Wellness (another Proud to Run sponsor) Development Director Anthony Guerrero also spoke about the work their companies do, including their support for the LGBTQ+ community.
Me’Lo The Generation Hero and Jaylien Javanna also performed their original songs for the crowd.
Photos by Joseph Stevens
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