Our Mission Statement
Grand Rapids Front Runners & Walkers seek to promote a health-and-fitness focus in the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community, to provide opportunities for the LGBT community and friends to participate in regularly scheduled runs/walks, and to promote and encourage member participation in local, national, and international competitions.
We gather for informal walk/runs on Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings throughout the year. During the summer we schedule additional outings to the Saugatuck/Douglas area on alternate Thursday evenings. After our walk/runs, those who wish to do so go out to eat together. Our Saturday brunches and Tuesday dinners provide a great opportunity to socialize. Check out our activity calendar here.
In addition to our regular walk/runs, we have social occasions throughout the year — among them an Academy Awards gala, a summer solstice picnic, and a December holiday party. Our biggest event is the Pride 5K — a five-kilometer race and fitness walk that serves as the kickoff event for the West Michigan Pride celebration in June. We have staged 14 Pride 5K races since 1995 and used proceeds from the event to distribute a total of $50,000 to various local causes.
Membership is open to everyone, including people at all fitness levels. The membership includes several runners, both recreational and competition-level, but most of our current members are walkers.
There are no fees for participating in any of the club's activities, although payment of $10 in dues annually gives members the right to vote and serve as officers and representatives. We currently have 44 dues-paying members and several additional associate members.
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Past and Current Grand Rapids Front Runners & Walkers Officers |
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| President | Secretary | Treasurer | |
| 1995 | David Morris | John McElwee | John McElwee |
| 1996 | John McElwee | Frank Minervini | Fred Deneke |
| 1997 | Frank Minervini | Bruce Nugent | Fred Deneke |
| 1998 | Mike Rash | Dan Van Meurs | Ken Terpstra |
| 1999 | Burke Harting & Ken Terpstra | David Paschke | Paul Mosketti |
| 2000 | Bruce Nugent & Dan Van Meurs | Frank Minervini | David Morris |
| 2001 | Bill Russell & Guy Jacobson | Tom Sidlauskas | Ken Sass |
| 2002 | David Paschke & John McElwee | Jim Eastman | David Morris |
| 2003 | David Paschke | Van Maas | David Morris |
| 2004 | Bruce Nugent & Doug Oostdyk | Frank Minervini | Ken Terpstra |
| 2005 | Doug Oostdyk & Jeffrey Kozminske | Jonathan Hudson | David Morris |
| 2006 | Doug Oostdyk & Madelyn Stella | Bill Voetberg | Jeff Henrickson |
| 2007 | Madelyn Stella | Bill Voetberg | Jeff Henrickson |
| 2008 | Doug Oostdyk | Tim Straayer | Louie Pham |
| 2009 | Bill Voetberg | Tim Straayer | Louie Pham |
| 2010 | Doug Oostdyke | Jeff Wykoff | Jim Whittaker |
January
1 New Year’s Day walk around Reeds Lake, followed by dinner at the home of Bill Voetberg and Tim Straayer.
5 The annual meeting is held at the home of Lou Vander Have, hosted by Lou and Troy Johnson. There are 14 in attendance, including the hosts.
10 The officers announce the opening of competition for the design of the 2008 Pride 5K t-shirt and the creation of new email accounts for Front Runners communications and for the Pride 5K. Deadline for submissions is February 1.
24 The new Front Runners web site goes live.
February
5 The Pride 5K t-shirt design is selected. The winner was created by graphic designer Jim Chiampas.
10 The beneficiaries for the 2008 Pride 5K are announced: GIFT, the Triangle Foundation, the West Michigan Pride Committee, and Planned Parenthood.
24 Jeff Henrickson hosts the Red Carpet Gala Academy Awards Party at his home. The magnificent Front Runners trophy goes to Tim Straayer.
March
2 Madelyn Stella hosts a “doggy shower” in honor of Cosmo, the new arrival in President Doug Oostdyk’s home.
18 A press release announcing the 2008 Pride 5K goes out to 825 state, local, and LGBT media.
22 President Oostdyk hosts an Easter brunch at his home.
April
19 We have an in-the-loop meeting following the walk/run.
23 Many Front Runners attend a lecture on LGBT issues by Dr. John Corvino. The lecture was originally scheduled to take place earlier in the month on the Aquinas College campus, but the college administration canceled it on the grounds that such a discussion would be incompatible with the institution’s values. It was rescheduled to take place at Fountain Street Church.
24 Many Front Runners take part in the annual Dining Out for Life benefit.
26 Following the walk/run, representatives from Health Motion Physical Therapy offer Front Runners a seminar on preventing sports injuries.
May
3 Front Runners participate in the annual GRACE Hunger Walk.
10 Front Runners participate in the Fifth/Third Riverbank run and attend a post-race brunch at the home of Bill Voetberg and Tim Straayer.
20 We send out a second statewide email blast publicizing the Pride 5K.
31 The Pride 5K packet-stuffing party is held at the home of Bill Voetberg and Tim Straayer. We also celebrate Jeff Henrickson’s 50th birthday, which occurred the day before.
June
1 We have perfect weather and a great turnout for our 13th Pride 5K, with over 100 registered participants, including 66 runners (28 women and 38 men) and several dozen walkers and volunteers.
14 The Pride Potluck
20 Pride Movie Night
21 Front Runners man their table at the 20th annual West Michigan Pride celebration.
24 We enjoy our annual Summer Solstice picnic in John Collins Park.
July
10 We head out to the first of the season’s Douglas Socials.
August
19 David Morris and Frank Minervini host Front Runners for a Garden Fresh Tomato and Pesto Fest at their home following our walk/run. We finish up the evening with an In-the-Loop meeting.
September
16 Front Runners attend the Triangle Foundation Reel Pride Movie Night at Wealthy Theatre following our walk/run.
27 AIDS Walk Grand Rapids
30 We have an In-the-Loop meeting after our walk/run.
October
5 The National Coming Out Day ad appears in the Grand Rapids Press.
18 The Front Runners celebrate their 15th anniversary with a dinner at the Bistro Bella Vita.
19 The Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon
November
4 We gather for an Election Day pizza party at the home of Bill Voetberg and Tim Straayer after the walk/run and also say farewell to Bruce Nugent, who is moving to Indianapolis.
18 We have an In-the-Loop meeting after our walk/run.
December
1 Several Front Runners attend the World AIDS Day memorial service at East Congregational United Church of Christ.
9 We close out our annual membership drive on a good note, with 38 members paying dues and contributing an additional $625, for a total of $1,005.
13 About 30 Front Runners and friends attend a showing of Gus Van Sant’s movie Milk at the Celebration Cinema north.
16 We gather at Jeff Wyckoff’s house for the annual holiday party.
