Last Updated: Jan. 20, 2008

About Us

The Calgary Frontrunners Club was originally formed in 1991 after Calgarians who participated in the 1990 Gay Games in Vancouver decided they wanted to form a club to promote health and fitness in the local GLBT and gay-friendly community.

The club has a large membership of gay and straight sports enthusiasts with a core group of approximately 20 runners and walkers who meet at least once a week. The members of the Frontrunners vary widely in abilities, fitness, and goals.  All are welcome to join us - the focus of the club is a friendly, social atmosphere where anyone can feel comfortable and share an interest in fitness. This is not a competitive club. There is no membership fee to join. All you need to participate is a good pair of shoes and some motivation to get up early on Saturday morning!

In addition to promoting the running group, we support a walking group that meets on Saturday mornings with us. We believe this will help attract new members that might think they are not advanced enough in their fitness endeavors to join us.  Remember - all are welcome and no one gets left behind!  The post-workout brunch at Coffee Junkies is a great time to socialize and meet members new and old.

Many of the routes taken are decided upon prior to departure from the regular meeting place, and most stay along Calgary's great river pathways. Some days the group will get the urge to run in a completely different direction!  We run or walk in groups that ÔorganicallyÕ form after starting out together according to ability, fitness, or even by the conversation you get into that particular day. A typical Saturday might consist of a group of walkers that will go for out a half-hour, a slow-pace group that will go 5-9 km in 30 to 45 minutes, and a fast group that will go 10-15 km in 45 to 90 minutes. Normally, the route might go to the Crowchild underpass, Edworthy Park, Nose Hill Park, Calgary Zoo, the Elbow River Pathway, or the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary.

Calgary was selected by GLISA to host in 2007 the first North American OutGames. The Frontrunners were approached to organize the running events for the OutGames. The group consists of many members who volunteer on other local community associations, civic and athletic organizations, as well as organize and participate in annual running events - so it seemed like a good fit.  As many participants of the Games would tell you, the running events were very successful, and despite the unpredictable weather of the Games weekend, the run went without any major hitches and was enjoyed by all.

The group is wanting to increase its exposure in the Calgary GLBT and gay-friendly community. We have recently become members of the Apollo family and are very keen to participate, plan and assist in Apollo functions. We are currently in the process of moving the current FR mailing list and website to the Apollo webspace hosted by GayCalgary. We believe the linkages that the Calgary Frontrunners could get out of integrating our communication efforts with those of GayCalgary, Western Cup, and Apollo would be very beneficial.

The Calgary Frontrunners traditionally host a Pride Run as part of Gay Pride Week every June (on Father's Day) or a running event during Western Cup. 2006 was our inaugural year of planning a running event during Western Cup. Every year we send teams to the Banff Mountain Ekiden race held the Saturday after Canadian Thanksgiving in October and the group collectively trains to run in such Calgary mainstays as the Calgary Police Services Half Marathon in April and the Calgary Marathon in July. Unfortunately for the 2008 Western Cup we will not be hosting a running event.

We are excited of the prospects of our growing club and the challenges of organizing larger events. If you are interested in contacting us or meeting with us, contact information is below. We are always very happy to meet new people and welcome anyone of any ability to join us.

Calgary Frontrunners Run & Walk schedule:

When: Saturdays. 9 am.
Start: Coffee Junkies, 7th Street and 1st Avenue SW (directly off the Bow river pathway)
Distance: Varies: 8 km - 15 km. Runners from 6 minute/mile to 9+ minute miles.

During the summer we attempt to have evening runs during the week. Our Saturday runs are always at 9am year round.

For more information, contact Tim at (403) 660-6125 or e-mail calgaryfrontrunners@shaw.ca. Also, don't forget to choose running as one of your interests in your www.MyApollo.org profile to ensure you are kept up-to-date!

Current Events:

How Many Experiences do you remember for a Lifetime? Make 2008 your breakthrough year! Get in the best shape of your life and accomplish a 'forever memory.' Run a Half Marathon in 2008! Paul and Brian from FrontRunners are offering a support group to run with, train with, learn with, and focus with to get you over the 1/2 marathon finish line.

Never run?...no problem. We're using a proven training program used by thousands of 'beginners' just like you. An intermediate runner? Take yourself past the 5 and 10km distances and see what your body and mind can really accomplish! Advanced runner? Set your new personal best time and push yourself to the next level.

We're training to run the Police Half Marathon on April 27th, 2008. THIS EVENT ALWAYS SELL OUT IMMEDIATELY SO YOU'LL BE REGISTERING ONLINE as soon as the registration system start date is confirmed.  If you contact Paul or Brian, they will communicate to you when registration will be available. We will be running 3 times a week for 18 weeks.....Complete training information and schedule will be sent to you when you commit yourself to the training.

When: Monday and Wednesday night runs from : YMCA Eau Claire
4th Street and 2nd Ave S.W.
inside at the snack bar
(we run at 6:00pm)
SATURDAY morning runs from:
Coffee Junkies
Corner of 7th Street and 1st Ave S.W.
(we run at 9:00am)

For both meeting places, park in the heated lower level of Eau Claire parkade for only $2 (unlimited time)

There is also some street (free and metered) parking in front of Coffee Junkies

Although Paul and Brian are organizing and supporting the training, you are expected to take full responsibility for your own training as well as helping other group members train. We wanna get you going...we want YOU to keep YOU going.

If you're coming up with lots of 'reasons' not to take what could well be one of the biggest challenges of your life...I'd offer that you 'just do it!' Contact us to register now. Email Paul or Brian

Clothing for Sale:

In anticipation of a large number of FrontRunners members participating in the Calgary Police Services Half Marathon in 2008, club members are currently putting together an order for Calgary FrontRunners technical gear.  It is anticipated there will be a technical jacket, pants, running shirt and running tights available for sale.  Contact the club if you are interested in getting some gear!

Also, leftover from the Calgary 2007 North American OutGames, the club has a number of technical toques available for sale.  They are Dri-Fit material, one size fits all with a classy OutGames logo on the front.  $10 gets you a spanking new running toque!

For more information, contact Tim at (403) 660-6125 or e-mail calgaryfrontrunners@shaw.ca.Also, don't forget to choose running as one of your interests in your www.MyApollo.org profile to ensure you are kept up-to-date!