Canberra will be strutting its stuff at this Saturday’s 46^th Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade, represented by local LGBTQIA+ running group, Canberra Frontrunners.

Frontrunners may not be as well-known as Park Run but the tight-knit running group has been in Canberra for 23 years (twice as long as Park Run) and was first established in the US in 1974.

This Saturday, 40 Canberrans will assemble at Sydney’s Hyde Park with their Mardi Gras float and inflatable heart on the back of a ute, called ‘Capital of Equality’.

Float organiser Trung Bui and their team have sewn together an incredible 80 fishnet gloves with fringe-tassels, as well as designed the choreography to Dua Lipa’s song, Dance the Night. The theme: pink.

“The idea is to reclaim the colour pink,” Trung said. “The pink triangle was a symbol of persecution but LGBTQIA+ activists reclaimed it as a symbol of resilience and strength.

“The colour pink is often associated with visibility and solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community. It symbolises a strong sense of unity among LGBTQIA+ individuals and allies and it serves as a visual representation of the community coming together to champion causes and shape the future.”

I caught up with Canberra Frontrunners at Lake Ginninderra last Saturday for their weekly run/walk/ride/strut. Trung said the aim was to support the LGBTQIA+ community because “sport culture is sometimes a place where the queer community doesn’t feel safe”.

“We’re trying to create a safe and welcoming environment, to make people feel they belong to a social group of like-minded people,” Trung said.

Frontrunners from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide are soon to meet in the ACT for the Canberra Marathon in April. They will be hosted by Canberra Frontrunners with a dinner event and then in August, Sydney Frontrunners will host Canberra Frontrunners for the City2Surf. The inclusive community, which includes both LGBTQIA+ and their allies, consists of more than 110 clubs around the world.

(The name comes from a 1974 novel by Patricia Neill Warren, The Front Runner, which was the first contemporary gay novel to achieve mainstream commercial and critical success.)^.

Long-time Canberra Frontrunner, Mark Blackwood, first joined the group in 2011 and was the sole organiser for nine years (2014-2022). Back then, there were only 15 participants and the group had so many different run routes that they only repeated them once or twice a year.

“Canberra Frontrunners offers a sense of belonging and camaraderie among LGBTQIA+ individuals who share a common interest in running or walking,” Mark said. “It provides opportunities for social interaction and forming long-lasting friendships within the community.”

Mark said Canberra Frontrunners attracted a diverse range of runners and walkers with ages ranging from 20-somethings to participants in their 80s.

“We are seeing more women and trans members participating, which is fantastic,” Mark said. “We welcome individuals of all fitness levels, from newcomers to serious runners and for those who just enjoy the social aspect.

“Importantly, we prioritise creating an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone feels comfortable participating regardless of their skill level.”

These days, Canberra Frontrunners has about 35 regular participants, who meet every Saturday at 9am for various 5km courses. Some runs have a dress theme such as “crazy sock day” and for the Mt Ainslie run at Easter, the theme will be “funny ears”. 

This is the first time Canberra Frontrunners have participated in Sydney’s Mardi Gras parade and their presence will be significant – after all, Canberra had the highest percentage of yes votes in the 2017 marriage equality referendum.

The exposure for Canberra will be enormous, with the parade broadcast live nationally and around the world. Canberra’s small contingent (float number 146) will join more than 200 floats and 12,500 marchers. More than 250,000 spectators are expected to line Oxford Street to watch the colourful procession.

Canberra Frontrunners is on Facebook. ABC TV will broadcast the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade live this Saturday 2 March 7.30pm.

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