When you're running 26.2, the midrace miles often become a blur. But you'd never forget mile eight of the Chicago Marathon. With its three stages of dancing drag queens and volunteers clad in chaps, cheerleader uniforms, or wedding dresses, the aid station at the eighth mile makes a distinct impression.
Frontrunners Chicago, a 33-year-old lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender running club, has staffed its hometown marathon's mile eight station—which sits in the middle of Boystown, the city's famed gay neighborhood—every year since 1988. It's the race's largest water stop. And its most festive. “Organizers used to give an award for the best aid station, but they stopped because we would win every year,” says Corbin Woodling, 49, Frontrunners' treasurer. “What can I say, gays like a theme. We have hit every gay stereotype you can think of. This has put us on the map in the Chicago running community.”
While shaking pompoms to Lady Gaga has earned the club notoriety, Frontrunners has a higher calling: to promote acceptance and inclusion. “At our recent board meeting, we recommitted that the most important thing we can do is to make someone who shows up feel welcome and ensure that no one runs or walks alone,” says Woodling, who recalls one member recently telling him that he didn't feel comfortable saying he was gay publicly until he joined the group. Woodling, who has been a Frontrunner for 25 years, thinks recent events help the club further its cause. “The Supreme Court's ruling on gay marriage, the Military Equal Opportunity policy including gay and lesbian military members—these things have been monumental for our community,” he says. “With those advances, it has created more acceptance of LGBT issues within the running community. Years ago, I would feel self-conscious wearing our club shirt to a race. But that has changed.”
The Chicago Marathon isn't the only race where the club has a presence. Frontrunners also volunteer at the Shamrock Shuffle 8K and at the JPMorgan Chase Corporate Challenge, and they collaborate with other groups to orchestrate Chicago's Proud to Run 10K and 5K during Pride Week.
The club also hosts “bring a family member” and “bring a friend” runs to welcome Chicagoans, no matter their sexual identity, to join in.
“It's a great way to meet superfriendly people,” says Stacey Miceli, 50, who joined the group seven years ago. “I'm very shy. It is so much easier to get to know people on a run than walking into a bar.” Through Frontrunners, Miceli met her girlfriend.
Ten Frontrunners, including Woodling and Miceli, will run the Chicago Marathon on October 11; this will be Woodling's 20th. Club members train together Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings. Every run starts and ends at Kwanusila—a 40-foot-tall totem pole on Chicago's lakefront trail. About 50 people come out for runs in the summer and follow them up with brunch or dinner. Because gay, bisexual, or straight, who doesn't love capping off a run with a party?
