WHAT:
New York Road Runners (NYRR)—the nonprofit that “runs” New York City producing 60 annual adult and youth races including the TCS New York City Marathon—and Front Runners New York—the world’s largest LGBTQ+ running club—will kick off Pride weekend in NYC by hosting 8,000 runners at the sold-out 45th Front Runners New York LGBTQ+ Pride Run™ 4M in Central Park Saturday, June 27.
WHERE/WHEN:
Saturday, June 27
Central Park
Start: East Drive near East 69th Street
- 7-8 a.m. – Pre-race interviews
- 8 a.m. – Race start
Finish: 72nd Street Transverse off of West Drive
- 8:20 a.m. – First finisher expected
- 8:20-10 a.m. – Post-race interviews
WHO:
Executives from New York Road Runners, Front Runners New York, and Housing Works, as well as inspiring participants, are available for interviews, including:
- Rob Simmelkjaer, New York Road Runners CEO
- J Solle, Front Runners New York LGBTQ+ Pride Run™ 4M Race Director, and advocate for LGBTQIA+ runners and the inclusion of nonbinary divisions in running
- Matt Bernardo, President of Housing Works, the 2026 race beneficiary
- Alex Frisch (Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan): After moving to New York knowing almost no one in 2021, Alex found chosen family through Front Runners New York. He even discovered his drag persona “Nikki Lodeon” on a run, running the 2023 TCS New York City Marathon in drag as a celebration of queer visibility and self-expression.Now he’s running his sixth Front Runners New York LGBTQ+ Pride Run, describing the event as a homecoming, celebration, and showcase of LGBTQ+ joy.
- Ish Muhammed (Bushwick, Brooklyn): A New York City public school teacher who joined Front Runners in search of community after the isolation of the pandemic, Ish says the running club transformed his confidence, friendships, and sense of belonging. The Front Runners New York LGBTQ+ Pride Run was his first-ever race in 2024 and he now sees the event as an annual milestone and celebration of his personal growth.
- Chris Siretz and Omar Merced Aponte (Jersey City, N.J.): Five years after running their first Front Runners New York LGBTQ+ Pride Run as their relationship was just starting, Chris and Omar have made the race an annual tradition—complete with matching themed outfits. Chris and Omar plan to dress up as Woody and Buzz Lightyear this year, timed to the “Toy Story 5” release.
ADDITIONAL RACE BACKGROUND:
As part of its vision to build healthier lives and stronger communities through the transformative power of running, New York Road Runners has collaborated with Front Runners New York since 1982 to host this event championing the LGBTQ+ community. The four-mile race celebrates LGBTQ+ pride and the ongoing movement toward equality, diversity, and inclusiveness
The theme of this year’s race is “Hearts in Motion: United in Every Stride,” which celebrates the unity we share through movement and reminds us that pride is strongest when we lift each other up.
ABOUT FRONT RUNNERS NEW YORK:
Front Runners New York is New York City’s premier LGBTQ+ running and multisport club. Founded in 1979, the club has grown to over 1,100 members, representing one of the largest LGBTQ+ athletic clubs in the world. Each year, Front Runners New York makes a donation to an LGBTQ+-related nonprofit organization. This year’s race beneficiary is Housing Works, which has provided lifesaving healthcare, housing, and justice initiatives to vulnerable New Yorkers for 35 years. Since 1982, the Pride Run has raised more than $300,000 for LGBTQ+ nonprofits and is the world’s largest charity pride run.