Sat. June 27, 2015
Chicago, IL -
A record number of participants took part in the 34th annual Proud to Run race Saturday morning.
This year's 5k and 10k race saw 1,711 registrants, walking and running along Chicago's lakefront trail just one day before the city's iconic Pride Parade.
"This race has actually been around for 34 years now, and it all started in the 80s as a way for Chicago's LGBT community to run proud together at a time when that really wasn't done," Proud to Run's co-director Ryan Hagerty told ChicagoPride.com. "That first time, I think only 50-75 people did it, but last year we had more than 1,600 participants."
While in 2014 the race generated $35,000 from sponsors and racers, this year Proud to Run hopes to donate $40,000. This year's beneficiaries are Affinities Community Services, Chicago House and the AIDS Legal Council of Chicago.
Not to be confused with the new Pride 5K race that launched in 2014, Proud to Run has raised more than $380,000 for local organizations since 1982, meaning this year's event will far exceed the $400,000 milestone.
"Because we're all community volunteers, Proud to Run is able to give a higher rate of money back to the community compared to a lot of other races," Hagerty said. "We give away all the money every year and keep almost nothing in reserves. It's just such a great community event. That's why I'm so passionate about it."
Photos: 2015 Proud to Run
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