A roster of 464 runners and walkers took to the West Palm Beach waterfront on June 21 for the 5th Annual Pride 5K hosted by the Night Runners WPB. The sunset run brought together athletes, allies, and community members in a radiant celebration of movement, visibility, and love.
Costumes ranged from coordinated rainbow kits to glitter-dusted sneakers, but the heart of the event beat strongest in its people. “This group means a lot to us,” said Lauren Peterson. “The people that are in it have become kind of like our tribe.”
Among the highlights: Peterson said yes at the finish line, when her partner Sara Lima proposed with a blue sandstone ring. “I had plans to do it elsewhere,” Lima said, “but then the ring came early. I thought, it’s a sign I’m meant to do it with our adopted family here at the Pride 5K.”
Before the starting bell, participants explored a community Health Expo in the park, featuring LGBTQ affirming wellness vendors, advocacy orgs, and local businesses. The vendor village added a celebratory, resource-rich dimension to the day.
This year’s beneficiary was PRISM, a nonprofit serving LGBTQ+ youth across South Florida. Its Outreach Director, Avion Goordeen, helped transform Night Runners from a casual meetup into a structured, community-rooted organization.
“To go from drafting bylaws at Panera to this — it’s deeply emotional,” Goordeen said. “The community we built is now feeding the work I’m most passionate about: making space for young people to thrive.”
Top finishers included Vittorio Palchetti (Male Top Overall, 19:21), Kaori Alexander (Female Top Overall, 20:02), and Moss Waldock (Nonbinary Top Overall, 41:29). The race celebrated runners and walkers of all identities and experience levels.
With support from sponsors like lululemon, FPL, and the Legal Aid Society, the Night Runners reminded West Palm Beach what Pride in motion truly looks like: fast, fierce, and full of love.
