Toronto’s Pride & Remembrance Run Returns on June 29

TORONTO, March 22nd, 2024 – Toronto’s pride & remembrance run returns to the Church-Wellesley Village on the morning of Saturday, June 29th for its 28th annual event. Join us for a 5KM run, 3KM walk, or kids race in the heart of Toronto’s gay village as Pride Month comes to a close. This year’s Run will also be offered virtually across Canada.

Our theme, remember your why places equal importance on pride and remembrance. It is an opportunity for participants to celebrate the progress of 2SLGBTQ+ community and to reflect on a path forward to combat the inequities that remain in our community. The inaugural pride & remembrance run was held almost three decades ago in remembrance of founder Alan Belaiche’s friend, Richard Robert Leroux, who died of AIDS in early 1996.

"The Run has stood the test of time and the support we continue to receive is a testament of the impact this event has on so many individuals." says Gabriel Jarquin, President of the Pride and Remembrance Association. "We strive to host an event that is inclusive of various expressions of who we are as a community."

The Run continues with the remember your why theme premiered in 2023 with an added emphasis on highlighting members of the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) and 2SLGBTQ+ folks who are central to 2SLGBTQ+ progress and resilience. This emphasis on intersectionality is highlighted in our beneficiaries whose projects aim to support health equity, gender inclusive religious education, mental health and community well-being, and Two-Spirit identity education:

  • AndThenIWasFree

  • Durham Alliance Outreach

  • Toronto People with AIDS Foundation

  • Rainbow Faith and Freedom

  • The Pride and Remembrance Foundation

Since 1996, we’re proud to have raised more than $3 million for dozens of charitable organizations across the Greater Toronto Area and around Canada. Help us in our mission to support the 2SLGBTQ+ community so that we can honour our past while building toward a better future. The Run is made possible by registration fees and the generous support of many sponsors, including BMO, who returns as our lead sponsor this year. This allows 100 percent of our fundraising dollars to go towards our charitable beneficiaries. We have an ambitious fundraising goal of $350,000 which we cannot achieve without your help and support. We encourage all participants to get creative with their fundraising this year. Get your run group, sports team, co-workers, family members, friends and more involved in your fundraising endeavors!

As a 2SLGBTQ+ event, our party atmosphere sets us apart. We’ll have drag queens, DJs, rainbows, and more! Our cheer sections and memorable after party in Barbara Hall Park will get you moving and feeling energized in the summer heat! Keep an eye out on our social media pages for our BIPOC athlete features!

Whether you’re a competitive runner or here simply to show your pride, you can run, walk, or roll at your own pace. Celebrate Pride Month’s only annual athletic event and bring your most authentic self to the heart of Toronto’s gay village.

Registration opens on Wednesday, April 9 at 12:00pm. Mark your calendars! We’re excited to see you tie up your laces on June 29th!

We all run for a reason. Remember your why!

ABOUT US

The Pride and Remembrance Association (PRA) is a leading non-profit, volunteer-run organization dedicated to supporting Toronto’s 2SLGBTQ+ community. The PRA brings the community together in pride, celebration, and solidarity by organizing the annual pride & remembrance run during Toronto’s iconic Pride Weekend every June. Since 1996, more than 50,000 people have participated in the Run in the heart of the city’s Church-Wellesley Village. Over the past 28 years, The PRA has raised over $3 million dollars benefitting more than two dozen 2SLGBTQ+ organizations across Canada.

MEDIA CONTACT

Olivia Levy (She/Her)

Marketing Director
Pride and Remembrance Association
marketing@priderun.org
905-617-2357

Pride & Remembrance Run