Chicago, IL -
A long-running Pride weekend tradition continued Saturday, June 23, as the 37th annual Proud To Run – featuring both a 10K and 5K run, and 5K fun walk – was held at Montrose Harbor.
Since 1982, Proud To Run has been a part of Chicago's annual Pride Week activities, focused on celebrating pride in a healthy, inclusive way and raising funds for Chicago-area nonprofit organizations that help make the LGBTQ community healthier, safer, and stronger.
The 2017 event drew more than 2,000 runners and walkers, and raised more than $65,000 for their beneficiaries. Proud To Run has raised more than $550,000 for a number of local nonprofits since its inception.
The 2018 event has used different marketing tactics than past years, including signs on CTA trains. Plus, organizers introduced a unifying tagline for 2018, the first in its 37-year history — Run. Forward.
WGN-TV's Mike Lowe served as the event's master of ceremonies.
Singer, composer, and musician Kyra Leigh, a trans woman and Chicago resident, performed the National Anthem during the opening ceremony. Race day entertainment included Urban Pooch head trainer Jim Bahr and his talented dogs in an agility demonstration, which has proven to be an audience favorite over the years. Plus, the energetic Chicago Spirit Brigade cheered on participants, and then performed as part of the post-race program.
First-place winners in the 5K race were Vanessa Righeimer (women), Chris Wolf (men) and Dalton Traina (non-binary) while the 10K race winners were Alana Kopelson (women), Eric Seelback (men) and Dennis Carl (non-binary).
The 5K men's team winner was The Amazingish Racers and the 5K mixed team winner was Team JKMP; the 10K men's team winner was Proud Rice and Potatoes; and the 10K mixed team winner was from United Airlines. There were no 5K or 10K women's teams.
Sponsors included Urban Pooch, PepsiCo, Thorek Memorial Hospital, United Airlines, Fleet Feet, CNA, Jewel-Osco, Redfin, Lakeshore Illinois Shelter, Running to the Beat, MB Financial, Neil Hackler Group, Bistro 750, USG, Avila Creative Inc., William Blair, CMSA, ZS, Cushman Wakefield, Factset, Hope Enrichment Center, Sapphire Nail Salon, Fitness Formula Clubs and Pond Ripple Media.
Proceeds from this year's event and Proud To Runway, a successful fashion show fundraiser held earlier this year, will be donated to four beneficiaries: Test Positive Aware Network (TPAN), Care2Prevent, The Illinois Safe Schools Alliance, and Pediatric AIDS Chicago Prevention Initiative (PACPI).
The weekend culminates with the 49th annual Chicago Pride Parade on Sunday, June 24 at noon.
Since 1982, Proud To Run has been a part of Chicago's annual Pride Week activities, focused on celebrating pride in a healthy, inclusive way and raising funds for Chicago-area nonprofit organizations that help make the LGBTQ community healthier, safer, and stronger.
The 2017 event drew more than 2,000 runners and walkers, and raised more than $65,000 for their beneficiaries. Proud To Run has raised more than $550,000 for a number of local nonprofits since its inception.
The 2018 event has used different marketing tactics than past years, including signs on CTA trains. Plus, organizers introduced a unifying tagline for 2018, the first in its 37-year history — Run. Forward.
WGN-TV's Mike Lowe served as the event's master of ceremonies.
Singer, composer, and musician Kyra Leigh, a trans woman and Chicago resident, performed the National Anthem during the opening ceremony. Race day entertainment included Urban Pooch head trainer Jim Bahr and his talented dogs in an agility demonstration, which has proven to be an audience favorite over the years. Plus, the energetic Chicago Spirit Brigade cheered on participants, and then performed as part of the post-race program.
First-place winners in the 5K race were Vanessa Righeimer (women), Chris Wolf (men) and Dalton Traina (non-binary) while the 10K race winners were Alana Kopelson (women), Eric Seelback (men) and Dennis Carl (non-binary).
The 5K men's team winner was The Amazingish Racers and the 5K mixed team winner was Team JKMP; the 10K men's team winner was Proud Rice and Potatoes; and the 10K mixed team winner was from United Airlines. There were no 5K or 10K women's teams.
Sponsors included Urban Pooch, PepsiCo, Thorek Memorial Hospital, United Airlines, Fleet Feet, CNA, Jewel-Osco, Redfin, Lakeshore Illinois Shelter, Running to the Beat, MB Financial, Neil Hackler Group, Bistro 750, USG, Avila Creative Inc., William Blair, CMSA, ZS, Cushman Wakefield, Factset, Hope Enrichment Center, Sapphire Nail Salon, Fitness Formula Clubs and Pond Ripple Media.
Proceeds from this year's event and Proud To Runway, a successful fashion show fundraiser held earlier this year, will be donated to four beneficiaries: Test Positive Aware Network (TPAN), Care2Prevent, The Illinois Safe Schools Alliance, and Pediatric AIDS Chicago Prevention Initiative (PACPI).
The weekend culminates with the 49th annual Chicago Pride Parade on Sunday, June 24 at noon.
