Cory Windsor

Hello, and thanks for once again joining us for another entry in our series of Meet a
Front Runner. Today we’d like to
introduce you to another of our runners, THE Spicy Runner, Cory Windsor. Cory is one of the core members of Front Runners and befitting of this talents (and liver) is among other things, our social director. As always, come meet Cory during one of our social events or during one of our runs!

So Cory, when did you start running?

I’ve run pretty much since high school. That was more as just a way to keep in shape and I never did anything serious with it. I would just go out for a few miles on my own every couple of days. I started running daily when I got to college as a way to avoid the freshman 15, luckily my dorm was right by The Shoe at OSU so I would go out after class and run laps around the stadium. I would do the occasional 5k/10k with friends but didn’t start running distance races till 2011. My friend asked me if I wanted to try a half marathon with her and then ended up doing a half marathon every month from April – October, finishing that year out with my first marathon in November. 7 half and 1 full marathon in my first year of distance running – I was hooked.  

What is your proudest running accomplishment?

I’m proud of finishing a 100k ultramarathon. By 2013 I had run quite a few half marathons and 2 full marathons but my buddy’s father was running ultras – so I started asking him about those distances. He (still) is a fan of the 100mile distance and said that one of his favorite races has a 50k and 100k option, so I dove right into the 100k distance for my first ultra. That was a long process with a lot of learning.  

More recently, I’m proud of tying for 1st place with my friend (and fellow Front Runner) in a 40mile ultra 2 weeks ago while another friend placed 6th in the marathon. In 2014 I suffered a DNF in this race after hurting my ankle on a root. It felt so great to go back into the race, with 2 of my close friends, for a chance at redemption and to come out tying for an overall victory.
What does being a Front Runner mean to you?

Being a front runner means I can enjoy running while also enjoying people who are familiar with the plight of the homosexual. To me running has always been very unconcerned with any aspect of a person and very accepting of just about anyone who considers themselves a runner, but it is nice to be with a group of runners who also understands what it means to be gay. Coming out, relationships, men running in short shorts, and a deep sense of camaraderie.  

What do you do when you’re not running?

I could not live without wine and tequila! Outside of running, I love spending time with my family and friends. Usually we are watching movies or talking about running/races while drinking wine. Otherwise we are putzing around and bantering with each other about fisting.

Race highlights:
5k – 19:16
10k – 42:21
Half-Marathon – 1:29:26
Marathon – 3:12:08
40M – 6:33:50

The post Meet a Front Runner #10 – Cory Windsor appeared first on Philadelphia FrontRunners.

So Richard, when did you start running?

I started running in 2001. Newly single after a 10-year relationship with lots of time on my hands, I was a bicyclist and a walker but did not enjoy running and only would run because I was late for something (which was quite often). I had done a couple of AIDS Rides bicycling from San Francisco to Los Angeles to raise money for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and one day on the bus to work I saw an advertisement for the AIDS Marathon Training Program. I figured what the hell and went to the meeting. A short plump older woman was in charge and said to the group – “I’ve run 8 marathons, and if I can do it, so can you.” I was convinced, ha ha. Her name is Linda Francisco and we’ve stayed friends to this day (she is one of my Facebook friends). So I joined 1,600 other new runners in the Bay Area training for a marathon 6 months later in Honolulu and found myself having a great time. I made some really good friends and one in particular changed my life – Mike deLeon. He dragged me into San Francisco FrontRunners, got me waking up early to meet him at the gym at 6 a.m. (I was previously NOT a morning person), talked me into buying a motorcycle and after we ran Honolulu, what I thought was going to be my only marathon,told me that we were running another marathon 3 months later in Washington, DC. So, while my ex quickly gained 60 pounds and became an alcoholic, I became obsessed with running and working out. Probably a better life choice.
What is your proudest running accomplishment?

Tough to say. I spent 3 years trying to qualify for Boston, but by the time I did I had already run 19 marathons, so that was a little anticlimactic. I’ve now run 7 Bostons. Running Antarctica and the Polar Circle were very cool (pun intended!). Finishing the 7 continents and running 172 marathons so far has been great. Probably the proudest accomplishment is that I have been able to combine my running and biking with fundraising and have raised over $40,000 for charity. I’ve also had a number of friends start running and perhaps I was an influence for them.
What does being a Front Runner mean to you?

When I joined San Francisco FrontRunners in 2001, I was at a low point in my life. Depressed by the end of my relationship and not sure what my future held. Suddenly I am friends with a bunch of crazy people who run 200-mile relays and travel around the world for races. Crazy but really nice! In 2003 I became an international marathoner and it was a thrill to show up in cities like Paris, London, Berlin, etc. and join a Front Runners run. Instant running buddies, instant friends, instant social activities. And they would visit me also. Such fun! I had not lived in Philly since the 1980’s, but when I visited my parents I would join the Philly Front Runners starting in 2002. Philadelphia was my third official marathon in 2002 and my PR to that point. And when I moved to New York in 2003, my competitive juices were amped up considerably by the Front Runners New York (FRNY) and their uber-competitive program (Tuesday night training, Wednesday night fun run informally called Wednesday Night at the Races, Thursday night training, Saturday fun run, Sunday long run). I was running about 8 marathons a year plus lots of other races when I met Zander Ross at FRNY in 2006 and we quickly became inseparable travel and running friends. Zander is now my husband. He decided that we would run a marathon a month (which sometimes became more than one a month) and we have now run over 150 marathons together. I love going to the International Front Runners (IFR) annual meetings and at the Cleveland Gay Games meeting, I was asked to become the IFR Western Region Representative. When I moved back to the East Coast, I became Communications officer but am now scaling back my IFR duties to more of a “help out where I can” status. Time to turn the committee over to a younger generation I think. However, I did suggest that Zander become one of the IFR reps to the Gay Games and he loves the position, so traveling with him to the FGG annual meetings will remain a part of my life. I am so happy to be a part of three Front Runners chapters (San Francisco, New York and Philly) and love that Philadelphia Front Runners has had an influx of wonderfully energetic runners in recent years. Thanks!

What do you do when you’re not running?

I am often asked why an individual Front Runner chapter should belong to International Front Runners. I think in the past, the clubs may have been a little forgotten by an organization that was more focused on Gay Games (and, at the time, Outgames) and perhaps felt like lonely outposts. But we’ve seen a recent shift in how IFR and its member clubs interact. Part of this is due to the incredible interconnectivity in our world today due to the internet and cheap travel. And part of this is due to the young people who are now running the clubs and are becoming part of the IFR administration. I think that the recent Gay Games in Paris demonstrated how cool it is for all of us LGBTQI+ (did I get all the letters?) runners to be connected and friends. I really do believe that runners may be able to help (in a small way and in the long run [another pun]) bring peace to the world because runners all over the world seem to get along and understand each other. IFR and each individual Front Runners chapter can and should be a part of this movement.

Race highlights:
My favorite marathons are New York (this year is my 13th), Honolulu (15th this year), Boston, Paris, Berlin. Running Antarctica twice and hanging out with penguins (on my lap) was amazing! Running the Polar Circle as the sun rose over a vast frozen landscape and incredible aurora borealis at night was unforgettable. In 2019, I am hoping to run the Mt. Everest Marathon at Base Camp.

The post Meet a Front Runner #9 – Richard Ervais appeared first on Philadelphia FrontRunners.

So Adam, when did you start running?

I started running about 3 years ago, right after I graduated college. I had gained maybe 50 pounds senior year and was very frustrated with how I looked and felt. I was working at Thomas Jefferson at the time and several of my coworkers ran. Taking a little bit of inspiration from them and more than a bit of motivation from my newly acquired heft, I decided, despite never having run before, to go out for a 1 mile run. I eventually found a passion in it and as they say, the rest is history.

What is your proudest running accomplishment?

Despite not being my fastest race, the 2018 Philly Love Run was probably the proudest, or perhaps most surprised, I’ve ever been with my race performance. It wast he first time that I truly felt, dare I say, fast (or at least relatively fast). I had just come back from an especially frustrating bout of achilles tendinopathy that had sidelined me for 6 month. I really had no idea how I’d do and I really surprised myself with a race that was significantly faster than any I had previously run. 
What does being a Front Runner mean to you?

Being a Front Runner means having space where people understand the struggles of being both a runner and being LGBT. There are lots of people who understand the trials of being a runner and others still who have also been through the tribulations of identifying as LGBT, but not many can say both. Being a Front Runner is finding both of those things in the same community.

What keeps you motivated to run?

I feel as though a lot of people in the greater running community portray themselves as hyper positive when posting/commenting/speaking of why they run. I’ve always been slightly more acerbic in temperament than most and hyper-positivity isn’t always a very effective motivator for me. While training hard for your next PR or imagining how good you’ll feel after a long run is sometimes enough; other times you just have to call yourself a sad sack and get on with it. Negative motivations exists for a reason and sometimes that’s the key piece in keeping myself motivated to do a long run in a 90°F hellscape. Life isn’t always sunshine and rainbow, why do the reasons you get out and run have to be?

Race Highlights
5K – 17:38 (Philly Pride Run 2018)
10 Miler – 1:00:41 (Broad Street Run 2018)
Half Marathon – 1:23:49 (Love Run 2018)
Full Marathon – 3:14:08 (Leigh Valley VIA 2018)

The post Meet a Front Runner #8 – Adam Hawkins appeared first on Philadelphia FrontRunners.

Hello Front Runners, we are pleased to have you for another entry in our meet a Front Runner series! This time we’d like to introduce you to our one our executive committee member, Michael Vail. Michael is perhaps what one might call, the brains behind Front Runners as of late. Don’t let that fool you though! Michael has the southern charm aplenty! Come meet Michael during one of our runs or social events!

So Michael, when did you start running?

I started to run seriously about 7 years ago.  I had tried to run off and on for years, but my running bad form aggravated knee and lower back problems.  I started researching running form and I got fitted for a proper pair of running shoes.  After a lot of experimentation, I was able to slowly add miles until I could complete my first 5k.

What is your proudest running accomplishment?

Completing my first trail run and finishing 3^rd in my age group inspired me to keep running.  Completing my first full marathon two years later was my proudest accomplishment.

What does being a Front Runner mean to you?

I started running with the Front Runners shortly after moving to Philadelphia in 2017.  The Front Runners were very welcoming, and I enjoyed the variety of paces.  There is always someone running at my pace and someone to challenge me to run faster.

What is something you can’t live without?

Coffee is my favorite addiction.  There is nothing more comforting than a piping hot cup of coffee on a cold day.

Race Highlights
10K – 45:55 (Philly 10K 2018)
Half Marathon – 1:38:51 (Philadelphia Half Marathon 2017)
Full Marathon – 3:38:51 (Hartford Marathon 2016)

The post Meet a Front Runner #7 – Michel Vail appeared first on Philadelphia FrontRunners.

Hello Front Runners, for today’s issue of Meet a Front Runner we have something special for  you (not to say all of our Front Runners aren’t special)! Bill Mogavero has just returned to Philadelphia to regale us with his tales of Gay Games X in Paris! For a little background, the Gay Games are an international quadrennial LGBT sporting competition, similar to the Olympics. The first Gay Games was held in 1982 and is the brain child of several former Olympic athletes  and LGBT activists. So without further adieu, here is a little about Bill and his time as the Gay Games!

So Bill, When did you start running?

I started out on the middle school track team and ran through high school, took a 6 year break, and then got back into it about 4 years ago.

 

What is your proudest running accomplishment?

Competing and receiving a bronze medal at the Half Marathon at the Gay Games in Paris.

 

What does being a Front Runner mean to you?

Being a Front Runner means being celebrating being gay and being an athlete, and since it’s an international organization, it means that almost anywhere I go, I can find a running buddy.

 

So Bill, we heard to recently returned from Gay Games 10 in Paris. What was the experience like and what events did you participate in? 

The experience was incredible – between the actual sporting events, happy hours and social events thrown every night by different organizations – and exploring Paris, there was almost too much to do! I participated in the 10k and Half Marathon.

 

What difference in atmosphere did you notice between a normal race (or series of races) and the Gay Games?

For me, the most powerful aspect of the Gay Games was the strong sense of community that it fostered. Everybody was so excited to be a part of the event and eager to make new connections.

 

In your opinion, why, or why not, are events like the Game Games relevant to LGBT athletes as athletics become more accepting of LGBT+ competitors?

The Gay Games are important to LBGT athletes as they provide an incredible sense of community for all of the participants, and continue to provide visibility to the LGBT community. Though we’ve come a long way in terms of LGBT acceptance, there is still a lot of progress to be made both here in the US and globally.

 

Should we go to the next gay games?

100%. I’m committed for life. See you in Hong Kong 2022.

 

Wildcard question (can be anything running or non-running related)

One of the most common questions I get is ‘So you competed in the Gay Games – how did they verify that you’re gay?’ Turns out, you do not have to pass the gay test to compete (also this test doesn’t actually exist)! The Gay Games strive to be as accessible and inclusive as possible for anyone who has an interest in being there!

The post Meet a Front Runner #6 – Bill Mogavero appeared first on Philadelphia FrontRunners.

Hello FrontRunners, we are pleased to introduce you to another one of our beautiful runners, Joey Vail! Joey is one of our core members and is always around to to thrill us with his dry wit! Come meet Joey during one of our runs or social events!

So Joey, when did you start running?

I originally started running when I joined my high school cross country team my Senior year. I didn’t keep running after high school, and only got back into running when my
husband and I decided to pick it up to stay in shape about 6 years ago. We now run regularly and enjoy challenging ourselves to keep getting better.

 

What is your proudest running accomplishment?
1) I completed my first (and only) marathon in Charlotte, NC in 2014.
2) I completed something called the “Winter Warrior” Challenge in Hartford, CT where you must run every day in January, no matter the weather.

 

What does being a Front Runner mean to you?

I started running with the Front Runners shortly after moving to Philadelphia in 2017, and they made me feel welcome from the very first run. It is a great group to run with and helps keep me motivated, and they also quickly became friends who helped introduce me to the city and make it feel like home.

 

What is something you can’t live without?

Dessert! One of the reasons I keep running is so that I can keep up with my weakness for desserts.

Race Highlights
5k – 22:55 (Philly Pride Run 2018)
Half Marathon – 1:41:48 (Philadelphia Half Marathon 2017)
Full Marathon – 3:52:24 (Charlotte Marathon 2014)

The post Meet a Front Runner #5 – Joey Vail appeared first on Philadelphia FrontRunners.

Below are the various start times:

5K (trail)
9:15am

5 miler (road)
8:45am

10K (trail)
8:15am

10 miler (road)
7:30am

Half-Marathon (trail)
6:30am

Start Area:

The post Philadelphia Mayor’s Cup Info appeared first on Philadelphia FrontRunners.

Photo of Jeff Burger

Hello FrontRunners, it’s that time again! We are pleased to introduce you to another of our longest standing members, Jeff Burger. Jeff is always pushing himself and those around him to do better! Come meet Jeff during one of our runs or social events!

So Jeff, when did you start running?
14 years ago. I was 47 years old. I read the results of the Delaware Marathon with all the runners on the list, and said to myself right then, I am doing that marathon next year. Which I completed. It was the first of over 12 marathons, including a couple trail marathons.

 

What is your proudest running accomplishment?
My proudest accomplishment was completing the first of two 50 mile ultra-marathons that I’ve done ( the Schuylkill loop six times straight) as a lone runner for Back on Your Feet in Philadelphia.

 

What does being a Front Runner mean to you?
 It is very important for me to be a FrontRunner. I greatly value the sense of LGBT community and inclusiveness within our group. Also, I enjoy meeting runners who visit our group from all over the country and world. The Philadelphia FrontRunners is 35 years old this year and I am proud of our group of runners.

 

Why do you run?
Running is my favorite thing in life to do. I love that it is the oldest Olympic sport and I greatly enjoy the freedom I feel running as it is solely your body performing the run, with the exception of sneakers if you wear them.

Race Highlights
My favorite race is the Triple Crown held in White Clay Creek Delaware. If you do the Triple Crown . The trail race is a 1/2 marathon, 10k, then 5k all in succession. You try to complete each race before the start of the next one. You run in creeks, up hills, through the woods.
Deer Park Tavern 5k 19:50
Delaware Distance Classic 15k 1:07:14
My overall goal is to complete all races within the top 20 percent of runners, and place in my age group.

The post Meet a Front Runner #4 – Jeff Burger appeared first on Philadelphia FrontRunners.

For the third feature in our ongoing series “Meet a Front Runner”, we’d like to introduce you to one of our newest members, Vincent Knecht.  Vincent, and no, don’t call him Vinny, has made some spectacular progress as a member of Front Runners. Vincent’s progress illustrates that almost anything is possible through hard-work, meticulous planning, and steady commitment! Come meet Vincent at one of our runs or social events before he bitter-sweetly leaves at the end of the summer for pharmacy school at the University of Pittsburgh.

So Vincent, when did you start running? 

“I was originally a long-distance swimmer in high school but did very little physical activity in college, so running was never on my radar. After graduating college all of my close friends started to run races together as an excuse to be physically active, travel to see each other, and to complete. On New Year’s Eve 2016 we all went out for a group run together and  they then convinced me to sign up for the 2017 Pittsburgh Half Marathon. Needless to say, running was my new year’s resolution in 2017 and I haven’t stopped since.”

What is your proudest running accomplishment?

“My proudest running accomplishment to date is completing the 2017 Philadelphia Marathon. I never thought that I would get to or want to do this distance after less than a year of running. I was very thankful for a large group of friends who traveled to see me race and cheered me on at multiple points throughout the course. Despite the chilling weather and feeling like my body was falling apart, I had a fantastic and memorable first marathon!”

What does being a Front Runner mean to you?

“Being a Front Runner means I will always have a group to run with in the LGBT community. The group’s dynamic is so encouraging that it provides an excellent environment to push me to my running goals while also providing a fun atmosphere through its social camaraderie. Making new friends, cheering at races, hosting social events, and ultimately running together is everything the Front Runners are about, and I am so glad to be a part of it.”

What is something you can’t live without?

“I love coffee! I have been drinking it every day since the age of 12 so I cannot live without it. It is the only thing that can get me moving and motivated enough in the morning to do my early morning workouts during the summer.”

Race Highlights
5k – 18:34 (Philly Pride Run 2018)
10k – 41:25 (Philly Donor Dash 2018)
Half Marathon – 1:29:09 (Philly Love Run 2018)
Full Marathon – 3:27:05 (Pittsburgh Marathon 2018)

The post Meet a Front Runner #3 – Vincent Knecht appeared first on Philadelphia FrontRunners.

Tony Fardella

For the second feature in our ongoing series “Meet a Front Runner”, we’d like to introduce you to one of our longest standing members, Tony Fardella.  Tony is known as much for his kinda words of encouragement as he is for his steely determination. Tony is always willing to stay back with new members just taking their first steps into a life long passion of running. Come meet Tony during our Monday or Saturday runs or during one of our social events!

So Tony, when did you start running? 

“I started running late in life at the age of 36, prior to that I mainly focused on swimming and working out.”

What is your proudest running accomplishment?

“My proudest running accomplishment was completing my first marathon in Chicago in 2003. I never thought I would complete in one even though I had friends who did them quite often.”

What does being a Front Runner mean to you?

“Being a Front Runner has meant a lot. Sharing a camaraderie with other runners whether just doing a regular run or doing a race. Making new friends, and participating in social events with the group is all part of a dynamic that Front Runners brings.”

What is your favorite race?

“My favorite race is the Philadelphia Rock and Roll half marathon, although the one I have done the most is the Broad Street run as I’ve done it close to 20 times.”

Race Highlights
The race highlights for me since I started running were for a couple of events. One was early on in my Front Runner life, running on a team in the Catskills100k. It was fun and a different experience from regular races. The other is when I turned 50 being able to break 1:40 twice that year in half marathon races. 

The post Meet a Front Runner #2 – Tony Fardella appeared first on Philadelphia FrontRunners.