Special Initiative Videos.
FRNY It Gets Better Vid.
Over the years, Front Runners has been involved in several projects that looked to improve the lives of LGBT individuals and communities. The first notable initiative is FRNY's involvement with the "It Gets Better" project (2010), which looked to communicate directly with gay youth by letting them know "it gets better." FRNY created a video where several members of the club spoke personally about how their lives improved once they left their teenage years and moved into adulthood, aiming to provide hope to LGBT youth battling homophobia. The "It Gets Better" project continues today at itgetsbetter.org.
To Russia With Love
Another notable special project was "To Russia With Love" (2014) which drew attention to the state-sponsored human rights abuses to the Russian LGBT community. During the one-month period around the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia, FRNY members drew attention to these abuses and showed support for the Russian LGBT community by running the distance between New York City and Moscow. During that month, 268 runners, walkers and swimmers logged 13,376 miles--more than three times the distance between those two cities. 129 of these athletes were non-FRNY members who joined in this show of support.
This is Gilbert Gaona’s journey to community and belonging through Front Runners New York, an LGBTQ+ running club that started in the mid-70s and hosts the Pride Run in NYC.
Created in conjunction with Front Runners New York, the film tells the story of the historic 40-year-old Front Runners NY LGBT Pride Run® and features Urie Dvorozniak, a New Yorker and non-binary unemployed college graduate longing for community and personal healing as they work to embrace their identity, build confidence and re-imagine their potential, all illustrating the importance of being able to compete as ourselves. New Balance is a proud supporter of Front Runners New York (FRNY) a running club for people who identify as (LGBTQ+) and those who are allies.
Gay Pride Run 1983 - This footage is out of chronological order – the start is in the middle. It also has a range of looks from almost normal to wildly abstract. Thanks to Jim Hubbard for making this available.
Digital transfer is made possible by a grant from the Al Larvick Conservation Fund.