New York, June 29, 2019 – A GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title was set today in New York City when 10,236 runners finished the 38^th annual Front Runners New York LGBT Pride Run. The five-mile annual race, recognized as one of the first official events of NYC Pride, has been officially recognized as the largest pride charity run.

Since 1982,  Front Runners New York (FRNY) and New York Road Runners (NYRR) have partnered to host one of the City’s most welcoming events, and this year earned the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title in honor of WorldPride NYC as part of honoring the 50^th anniversary of the historic Stonewall uprising, and a half-century of LGBTQIA+ liberation.

The benchmark to set the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for largest pride charity run was determined prior to the event at 6,001 finishers, which was easily surpassed by today’s 10,236 finishers. The finishers in today’s race were led through the Central Park course by winners Urgesa Kedir Figa of Ethiopia (25:19), and Lindsey Scherf of High Falls, NY (28:06).

Each year, FRNY selects an LGBT-related nonprofit organization to receive a donation. This year's beneficiary is New York City’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center (The Center). Located in the West Village, The Center empowers people to lead healthy, successful lives, celebrates diversity, and advocates for justice and opportunity.

“It was very exciting to witness the Guinness World Records title attempt for the largest pride charity run. There was so much passion and enthusiasm from the runners. As an official adjudicator, I am constantly inspired by our record holders and today was no exception. On behalf of Guinness World Records, we welcome FRNY and NYRR to the record-breaking family,” said Christine Fernandez, Guinness World Records adjudicator.

In addition to welcoming members of the international LGBTQIA+ running community to New York for the FRNY LGBT Pride Run, NYRR introduced the first-ever NYRR Virtual Pride Run 5K for those not traveling to New York for WorldPride. The virtual race will run through Sunday, June 30, and so far more than 5,000 runners from around the world have completed it.

Photos and video of today’s record-breaking event are available for download, and should be accredited to NYRR.

About New York Road Runners (NYRR)

NYRR’s mission is to help and inspire people through running. Since 1958, New York Road Runners has grown from a local running club to the world’s premier community running organization. NYRR’s commitment to New York City’s five boroughs features races, community events, free youth running initiatives and school programs, the NYRR RUNCENTER featuring the New Balance Run Hub, and training resources that provide hundreds of thousands of people each year, from children to seniors, with the motivation, know-how, and opportunity to Run for Life. NYRR’s premier event, and the largest marathon in the world, is the TCS New York City Marathon. Held annually on the first Sunday in November, the race features 50,000 runners, from the world’s top professional athletes to a vast range of competitive, recreational, and charity runners.  To learn more, visit www.nyrr.org.

About Guinness World Records (GWR)

What’s the fastest game bird in Europe? This was the question that inspired the founding of Guinness World Records back in 1955. Starting with a single book published from a room above a gym, GWR has grown to become a global multi-media brand, with offices in London, New York, Miami, Beijing, Tokyo and Dubai. Today, we deliver world-class content, not just through Books, but via TV shows, Social Media and Live Events. Our in-house consultancy works closely with brands and businesses around the world to harness the power of record-breaking and deliver award-winning campaigns and business solutions. Our ultimate purpose is to inspire people - individuals, families, schools, groups, companies, communities and even entire countries – to read about, watch, listen to and participate in record-breaking. To join this record-breaking community – and find out the answer to that original question – visit guinnessworldrecords.com.

About Front Runners New York (FRNY)

Front Runners New York (FRNY) is New York City’s LGBT running club. The club was founded in 1979 and has grown to more than 800 members annually. FRNY’s mission is to create a social running community focused on health and fitness that is welcoming to all LGBT New Yorkers.
FRNY offers a robust, inclusive membership experience that includes professionally-coached running workouts, multisport training, social events, and more. FRNY is a member club of USA Track & Field, Road Runners Clubs of America, and is affiliated with New York Road Runners (NYRR) and the International Front Runners organization.

FRNY is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The club’s activities are overseen by an annually elected Board of Directors.