Category: Running

What a year it’s been!

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Vancouver Frontrunners 35 year logo

2018 marks Vancouver Frontrunners’ 35th year as a club, and we have been doing ALL THE THINGS to celebrate! In addition to our twice weekly regular runs, dinners, and brunches, we’ve made sure to see lots of each other out and about in the community. Check out our year in review below.

February
First Half Marathon
Snowshoe Hike
Long Run

March
St. Patrick’s Day 5K – we had a strong, beautiful team out for the St. Patrick’s Day 5k. Some may have come for the green beer.

People in green run clothes, funny hats, and fake mustaches.

Long Run

April
BMO Sunshine Coast April Fool’s Run
Four happy race finishers with medals and bibs.

Sun Run Pre-Social at The Blarney Stone
Vancouver Sun Run 10k
10 runners after a race, with red stadium seats in background.

Pride Run & Walk Pancake Run (5km or 15km) with Forerunners

May
BMO Pre-race Potluck at Mark’s
BMO Vancouver Marathon
May 12 – July 22 – Learn to Run
“Summer is Coming” BBQ at Chad’s, hosted by Chad and Tony
Long Run

June
STRUT Vancouver
Sizzle: Pride Run & Walk Launch BBQ
Car Free Day to Promote Pride Run & Walk
Scotiabank Vancouver Half Marathon & 5K

July
Shipyard Night Market
Ragnar Relay and Post-Event Brunch
Ragnar finishers with medals, including a woman.

 

Pride Run & Walk. Our Pride Run and Walk event was amazing again this year, raising $16,974 to split between our two charities of choice, Out In Schools and the Loud Foundation.
Person running toward camera, bridge in background, making peace signs with both hands, shirt says "born this gay.'

 

International Rainbow Memorial Run
Crowd in running gear with Rainbow Flags. Standing at a lower level with city in the background

 

Whitecaps FC Pride Night
Happy people in the stands at a sporting event
Long Run

August
Vancouver Pride Parade
Men in run kit marching in the Pride Parade

 

Gay Games in Paris
VQFF – Al Berto & Love Intersections
“Mind Set Go” Filming
Happy guy with glasses in foreground with film crew in background, on seawall.
Swim and Sunbathe at Kits Pool

September
Preventative Health Condom Packing Party with Health Initiative for Men
Men at a long table in a bar, intently focused on the task at hand.

35th Anniversary Party

September 14 we hosted our 35th anniversary party. We heard from members who were there at the beginning and some who’ve only joined recently. We were thrilled to present our donations to representatives from the LOUD Foundation and Out in Schools. There was a silly amateur drag competition, cake, and most importantly, the chance to catch up with people we maybe hadn’t seen in a while. To get in on some of the nostalgia, check out our retrospective slideshow.

 

AIDS WALK

 

And MORE!

Before the year’s out, there’s one last Grouse Grind, games night, movie night, Whistler 50, our AGM & holiday party, and more.

If this sounds like the most fun you can have in a two or three hour period, you are absolutely right. Vancouver Frontrunners is friendship and family (and running and beer). We care for each other deeply. Whether you’re an existing member, potential member, or an alumnus, you can get your 2019 membership here now, effective from October 1 through the end of 2019, for the ridiculously low price of $15.

Gay Games in Paris: Connecting with Athletes From Around the World

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(Thanks to Kai Scott for sharing this account of his experience at the Paris Gay Games this year!)

The Gay Games were a truly profound experience that took place against the backdrop of historic landmarks in the sweltering heat of Paris. Around 10,000 participants took over the area in and around the Hôtel de Ville (aka city hall) and many surrounding stadiums, fields, and pools for one week. The feel was celebratory filled with excitement, pride, and reflection (especially the athletic pioneers that paved the way for us and those we have lost too soon). Besides athletic events of all types, there were nightly performances and parties. The local Parisian gay bars overflowed with thousands in the streets late into the night with old and new friends connecting and sharing their recent athletic accomplishments or what being queer is like in their countries.

I ran the 10K and the half marathon with hundreds of members from other Frontrunner clubs. It was the perfect blend of social and competitive. The 10K took place in a forest next to a castle (Chateau de Vincennes) and I coasted to a comfortable 42m finish. The half marathon was a week later within earshot of the L’Arc de Triomph. I was happy to surpass my training goal and ran a 1h 32m half marathon, which was nowhere near the top contenders in my division (1h 24m). I found it interesting that the French serve cubes of sugar and coca cola as part of the post-race spread – I guess that’s one way to refuel ;). Of course, I immediately located other Canadian runners, including friendly folks from Winnipeg, Toronto, and Ottawa. In the evening, there was a gathering of Frontrunner members at a local Parisian bar. It was fun to make friends and compare notes with others clubs in Asia, Australia, South America, and North America.

Beyond running, I cheered on our local soccer team, coached by Nico Montagut, who competed against teams from England, Germany, France, and United States. I also enjoyed watching water polo, tennis, and track and field. It was inspiring to see others excel at their sport of choice. A great reminder that us queers are represented in all sports.

The next Gay Games are in 2022 in Hong Kong, so a good time to start training and planning your trip. It would be awesome to send a team of Vancouver Frontrunners at the next games. It’s an experience not to be missed.

That’s a wrap…

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In case you weren’t able to make it, Pride Run & Walk 2018, held yesterday on July 22nd was another major successful year.

Mother nature made up for last year’s rain with clear skies and hot temperatures as 348 proud runners and walkers hit the sea wall pavement brighter than ever.

An army of volunteers helped make the park and course look amazing with an endless sea of smiles and rainbows and with the only glitch of the day being a faulty start line arch which was quickly remediated thanks to the creative minds of Christopher and Stephen.

Awards and Prizes were handed out to the top 3 finishers in 3 gender categories for 2 events (5km and 10km), as well as 14 door prizes were gifted.

Team ‘Which way to Fountainhead’ cleaned up with prizes for being the top fundraising team with $5,130 and the crowd cheered for them to take home prizing for best dressed.

$9,750 were received in direct donations to our two beneficiaries, Out in Schools and LOUD Foundation. This total doesn’t include the profits made from the event, which we’ll know in the next few weeks as final bills/invoices are paid. UPDATE: With profits, we donated a grand total of $16,974!

Race results are available at https://www.startlinetiming.com/en/races/2018/pride and thanks to Kangsoon Park, photos are available here.

The board of VFR would like to thank the organizing committee for their tireless efforts in executing a smooth and fun event. Those include:

  • Rohan Hare – Event
  • Kangsoon Park – Course
  • Mike Hsiao – Volunteer (on behalf of RaceForce)
  • Alan Jay – Water Station and Miscellaneous.

A huge thank you to everyone who participated this year, may it be as a participant, offering a helping hand, raising/donating money… all of it. Your continued support of Pride Run & Walk is immensely appreciated.