proud to run, 2015
35th annual Proud to Run steps off Saturday, June 25, at 8:04 a.m.
Chicago, IL -
On Saturday, June 25, Proud to Run celebrates its 35th year supporting Chicago's LGBT community in its traditional healthy and fun way. The annual 10K run and 5K run/walk, organized by an all-volunteer, community-based board, is excited to be raising money for About Face Theatre Company, TransTech Social Enterprises and the Center on Halsted this year.
"As an all-volunteer board, it has been amazing to see the growth and changes over the last 35 years years," Co-Director of Proud to Run Justin Koziate told ChicagoPride.com. "With the repeated trials our community faces, this event is needed just as much, if not more, than its inaugural. The sight of 2000+ runners, walkers, volunteers, and spectators coming together to celebrate the community is so powerful."
Starting from just 50-75 participants back in the early 80s, last year's attendance broke PTR records with 1700 runners and 2400 total participants, including runners, volunteers and others (like the Chicago Spirit Brigade) who are part of the program. So far this year, PTR is on track to break more records with 1800 projected runners and 2500 total participants.
This year also saw the run at add a Gender Non-Binary category (in addition to Cis Male and Cis Female) for riders to register under, "in an effort to be as inclusive as possible," representatives said.
In the last 35 years, PTR has donated more than $400,000 to Chicago-area nonprofits that serve the LGBTQ community. This year, About Face Theatre will be using their donation to support their Education Outreach Program and Youth Theatre, TransTech Social Enterprises will use the donation to support their co-learning and co-working space in Uptown and Center on Halsted will use the donation to support their new initiative into youth homelessness.
"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," Tim Hagerty, another of PTR's co-directors, 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."
The 35th annual Proud to Run steps off Saturday, June 25, at 8:04 a.m. from Montrose Harbor. Interested participants can still register for the 5K run/walk and the 10K run online. You can also register in-person on Race Day from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m.
For additional information about the race, post-race entertainment, to check out photos of last year's race and register online visit www.proudtorun.org.
Proud to Run is part of Pride Month, which culminates with the 47th annual Chicago Pride Parade on Sunday, June 26 at noon.
Photos: 2015 Proud to Run
"As an all-volunteer board, it has been amazing to see the growth and changes over the last 35 years years," Co-Director of Proud to Run Justin Koziate told ChicagoPride.com. "With the repeated trials our community faces, this event is needed just as much, if not more, than its inaugural. The sight of 2000+ runners, walkers, volunteers, and spectators coming together to celebrate the community is so powerful."
Starting from just 50-75 participants back in the early 80s, last year's attendance broke PTR records with 1700 runners and 2400 total participants, including runners, volunteers and others (like the Chicago Spirit Brigade) who are part of the program. So far this year, PTR is on track to break more records with 1800 projected runners and 2500 total participants.
This year also saw the run at add a Gender Non-Binary category (in addition to Cis Male and Cis Female) for riders to register under, "in an effort to be as inclusive as possible," representatives said.
In the last 35 years, PTR has donated more than $400,000 to Chicago-area nonprofits that serve the LGBTQ community. This year, About Face Theatre will be using their donation to support their Education Outreach Program and Youth Theatre, TransTech Social Enterprises will use the donation to support their co-learning and co-working space in Uptown and Center on Halsted will use the donation to support their new initiative into youth homelessness.
"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," Tim Hagerty, another of PTR's co-directors, 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."
The 35th annual Proud to Run steps off Saturday, June 25, at 8:04 a.m. from Montrose Harbor. Interested participants can still register for the 5K run/walk and the 10K run online. You can also register in-person on Race Day from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m.
For additional information about the race, post-race entertainment, to check out photos of last year's race and register online visit www.proudtorun.org.
Proud to Run is part of Pride Month, which culminates with the 47th annual Chicago Pride Parade on Sunday, June 26 at noon.
Photos: 2015 Proud to Run
