Being trapped inside for over six months isn’t good for anyone, even if it is for our own safety. But if you’re itching to get out and stretch your legs, now is the perfect time! LGBTQ+ organizations across America have joined together to launch the first-ever National Pride Stride Virtual Run to commemorate National Coming Out Day on Sunday, October 11th.
“Collectively, we’ve had to stay indoors during our Pride season thanks to the pandemic and follow safety guidelines, but we didn’t go away,” said LA Pride president Sharon-Franklin Brown in a press release. “It’s important that we show we haven’t stopped making each and every member of our respective communities visible and matter. We’re leading the effort to get people moving and help them get out, figuratively and literally, across the country to safely show their pride in solidarity with this event.”
Over 34 Pride organizations are taking part in the event in an effort to both highlight National Coming Out Day and the #StillWeVote campaign in anticipation of the 2020 Presidential election. And while LA Pride is heading up the event, each participating organization is promoting it in their respective region of the nation in an attempt to unify the country’s LGBTQ+ community over the 5k and 10k events.
Anyone wishing to participate can register for the event, and every runner will receive a Pride-branded goodie bag full of swag. The event also features a unique virtual twist: There is no official route. All you have to do is sign up, and then run or walk the determined distance. A portion of the sign-up fees will also go to the participant’s local Pride non-profit, so you can be sure your run will be good for you and good for the community.
“This year, a majority of Pride organizations had to cancel or dramatically scale back their celebrations,” said Steve Ginsburg, President of EnMotive. “We are thrilled to partner with so many Pride chapters across the nation to support kindness, unity, courage and strength through this virtual event helping bring the community together.”
Registration for the first annual Pride Stride Virtual Run opens today at Pridestride.org and costs $40. Check out the website or the event’s Instagram for more information.
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