Orlando Front Runners and Walkers Mix Fitness and Fun

Current OFRW T-Shirt Logo

Does getting healthy while having fun sound like an oxymoron to you? Then, you haven't met the Orlando Front Runners & Walkers! The Orlando Front Runners & Walkers (OFRW) is an organization dedicated to promoting healthy activities for the Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual community. You may remember them before they had "Walkers" in their name, but for some time now they have encouraged not only runners, but walkers, roller bladers and cyclers to join them for exercise and socializing. The group meets three times a week at the pagoda in Eola Park in Downtown Orlando and the exercise activities planned depend on the desires of the assembled members.

Saturday Morning Circle at Eola Park Pagoda

OFRW members stress that participation is at each individual's own pace. Some groups like to take the walking a bit on the easy side, while others prefer a brisker pace. Some even bring their pets along! The point is to make some new friends and give your fitness level a boost while you're at it. "If you'd like to combine exercise and social activity, OFRW offers running, walking, cycling, blading and lots of social events," says OFRW's secretary Gary Paskal. "You can meet people sitting in a smoky bar, but what are you doing for your body and your health at the same time?" After each of it's three weekly sessions, the group meets back at the pagoda and often chooses a local restaurant at which to meet and socialize.

Members of the OFRW Regulars - "The Family"

Members of the group come from all walks of life (pun intended!). They are computer professionals, retail managers, theme park employees, creatives, computer types, singles, couples, and both men and women. But the group is looking to attract an even wider audience. According to Secretary Gary Paskal, "OFRW, like many organizations in Orlando, could benefit from increased diversity. We need more women and people of color to come out and actively participate and enjoy our events."

In addition to it's three weekly runs, the OFRW sponsors other activities throughout the year, both fitness-oriented and purely social. In past years the groupd has organized physical activities like bike rides, canoe trips, bowling and volleyball games. But they've also had their share of the purely fun and food-oriented affairs like pot-luck dinners, holiday parties and movie nights. When members have run in marathons, the group has participated in the obligatory "carbo-loading" dinner the night before.

Front Runners Accept Their 3rd Spectrum Award (from l. Dan Kilponen, VP, Jeff Lurie, Pres., Michael Slaymaker, Scott Fennick)

Three-time winners of the Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Community Center's prestigious Spectrum Award for Outstanding Recreational Organization, the OFRW is a committed member of Orlando's gay, lesbian, and bisexual community. They've participated in Pride Parades, organized their own walks to benefit AIDS service organizations and participated in the Adopt-A-Highway program. As members for the International Front Runners, a world-wide organization, they share a vision of being a postive force in their community.

The group currently meets at the Red Pagoda at the northeast corner of Lake Eola at the following times:
Mondays at 6:30pm
Wednesdays at 7:30pm
Saturdays at 9:00am

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