As Night Runners WPB prepares to enter its 10th year, it's clear the organization has become much more than a running club. The twice-weekly meetups have evolved into one of Palm Beach County's most vibrant LGBTQ social communities.
On Saturday, the group will hold its sixth annual Pride 5K in downtown West Palm Beach at 6:30 p.m. Organizers are expecting a record turnout, with more than 350 people already registered and hopes of reaching 600 by race day. Registration is $50 untilt the event. Register here.
"We already have more registrations this year than any other year in the past," said Rudolph Galindo, one of the club's founders. "Sixty percent of this year's registrants are first-time participants."
The surge in interest comes just months after one of the darkest moments in the group's history. In November, a man attempted to drive his car into a Night Runners meetup. While no one was physically injured, the incident left many members shaken. The suspect was arrested, and the criminal case remains pending.
"It was a scary time," Galindo said. "It was traumatic for some."
But rather than retreat, the group rallied around one another — and, in many ways, grew stronger.
Galindo said some new attendees first learned about Night Runners through news coverage of the attack. In fact, the first meetup after the incident drew the largest turnout in the group's history.
"That really was something unexpected," he said. "Something positive coming from something negative."
Because of that, this year's Pride 5K carries extra meaning for Galindo.
"It truly is about Pride, and people wanting to participate, donate and volunteer because of Pride and because of the LGBTQ community," he said. "I can't wait until the day of the event and seeing all of those people at the start line, ready to go."
Galindo said much of the growth has come from younger LGBTQ people, with those ages 18 to 29 now making up the largest segment of the organization.
Despite many LGBTQ organizations seeing corporate sponsors pull back, Galindo said Night Runners has actually attracted more business support this year than ever before.
Their Elite sponsors tier this year includes AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Lululemon and Vultr.
For Galindo, the most meaningful moment though won't be at the starting line — it will be at the finish.
"Standing at that finish line is going to feel different because every person crossing it is showing their support for the LGBTQ community," he said.
Night Runners WPB meets every Monday and Thursday at 8 p.m. at Howard Park in West Palm Beach. The group offers multiple walking and running routes designed to accommodate a variety of fitness levels.
