GFR scoops major LGBTQ+ award

On Saturday 3rd October, during a glitzy (virtual) awards ceremony, Glasgow Frontrunners (GFR) were awarded the Royal Bank of Scotland Proud Scotland Sports Person / Sports Group Award 2020 hosted by fashion guru, Gok Wan. The award which was presented to GFR virtually by Sky Sport's’ Mark McAdam, recognises excellence in any sport, or outstanding leadership in the encouragement of sport inclusion for the LGBTQ+ community.

GFR is a running community which boasting over 200 members. Our club is run by a dedicated team of volunteers who are passionate in facilitating a safe, inclusive space for our members to pull on their running trainers and achieve their personal fitness, wellbeing, social and sporting ambitions.

Every New Year we “run” our successful Couch-to-5K program, where we support our newbies over 9-weeks before graduating! This year, we attracted record breaking numbers and we’re so proud to see some of these runners progress to running half marathons, even during lockdown.

This year has been the most challenging year the club has ever faced. GFR was keen to make sure that despite lockdown we could keep our club together.  The pandemic took us from a record breaking 120 attendance to a virtual offering.

We proudly remained active and present throughout lockdown supporting our members physical and mental wellbeing.  From hosting creative virtual running challenges to regular social events - ranging from music bingo, quizzes to virtual escape rooms, hosting training in our living rooms, through publishing running-specific  guidance.

The centrepiece of our lockdown strategy was the creation of a private  Facebook Group which has blossomed into a great new way for our members to support each other and keep in touch.  To make sure this was effective we surveyed our club members and we were delighted to get a 98% satisfaction rating.

GFR’s extensive social media presence (now expanding to LinkedIn and Spotify!) reflects our wonderful community, showcasing highlights throughout the season. GFR educates and advocates for significant days of LGBTQI+ importance – most proudly, our members courageously stepped up to celebrate the first Lesbian Visibility Week and the corresponding GFR profile picture colour changes regularly nod in support to the many colours of our fabulous community.

The positive influence we have in our community goes beyond our members. This year we have raised around £3,000 for local charities SAY Women, LGBT Youth Scotland and Terrence Higgins Trust most recently through HomeRun where 350 runners signed up to take place in our annual running race (https://www.facebook.com/GFROutRun). 

Looking wider, during lockdown GFR grew our monthly Big Club Run into the Big UK&I Club Run, inviting other LGBTQI+ sporting clubs to run from your home, thanks to video messages from other club committees across the country.

Perhaps some of the most touching moments however, are when we watched our people come-out as non-binary for the first time; when we helped a member of our trans family run for the first time as her true self.

It’s moments like these when we realise, wow, we really are truly living up to our Aims: promoting health and wellbeing, advocating for inclusion, diversity and equality; combatting discrimination; and encouraging LGBTQI+ participation in sport.

We’ve always been more than just a running club but this year in particular we think we’ve gone the extra mile for our members keeping them connected, active and engaged during these testing times.

On accepting the award, last year’s president Jo Jeffreys said;

“GFR is more than a running club. We’re proud that over the last 10 years, we’ve built up an inclusive safe space for everyone to run as they truly are. Winning this award is a testimony to every volunteer who has ever dedicated their spare time to the club over the years. Thank you, we wouldn’t be here today without you.”

GFR are so happy to have been given this accolade in recognition of everything we’ve achieved so far and setting the gold standard for future entrants too.

The Proud Scotland Awards™  awards are designed to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community by recognising the outstanding work and commitment of individuals and organisations within and supportive of our community in Scotland. They honour and encourage all, north to south, who stand up for diversity and equality.