Stride for Pride 5K & Relay

🏳️‍🌈 Race Overview

Join us on Saturday, August 9, 2025, for the Stride for Pride 5K & Relay, a celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community, health, wellness and inclusivity! This event serves as an unofficial kickoff to Charlotte Pride, taking place the weekend before, and is open to participants of all fitness levels. Whether you’re running, walking or cheering on your friends and family, we’ll celebrate together with pride. We will have queer owned businesses and vendors, music and more!

🎯 Our Goal

To celebrate inclusivity, empower the LGBTQIA+ community, and promote health and wellness. This event is not only about running but about creating visibility and creating spaces where everyone can feel safe, supported and celebrated. Let's come together and amplify the conversation around inclusivity, pride and community.

🎉 Post-Race Celebration

After the race, join us for a Post-Race Celebration! We’ll have music, vendor booths, community activities, and a chance to mingle with fellow runners. We encourage participants to pack a picnic lunch and enjoy the day with friends and family.

👕 Clothing Drive

From 8-10am race day we will have a booth set up to collect running clothing & gear donations that will be distributed to runners who need it at our open shop day on September 25th (more info will be shared on our Instagram @harebandits in collaboration with @clt.running_realtor.wes.

Donation Guidelines:

• Clothing: Emphasis on FALL/WINTER running clothes to get ready for the upcoming season change.
• No Race Shirts: Branded from races.
• Shoes: Need to be new or less than 20 miles of use (must look new!).
• Accessories: Running sunglasses, vests, fuel belts, watches & other accessories are great! (nothing race branded).

🛍️ Vendors

• Solandisia: Wire wrapped gemstone jewelry, accessories & decor Etsy Shop
• Glitter&Glue.Co: Jewelry, crochet goods, hair accessories, paintings, charms Instagram
• Livewell Animal Hospital of Elizabeth: Dog & cat leashes, toys, treats & coupons for vet clinic Website
• Fight the Flame: Info about one of our favorite races Website

🎶 Performances/Music

• Bloom Movement Artistry: Aerial performance
• Charlotte Pride Band: Musical performance
• Vanna Vanity: DJ Drag Queen

📸 Photography

Free race photos for all runners from @unknownvision & @cltnativeagain!

🏅 Awards & Prizes

Finisher Medals for all 5K Relay and 5K participants!

Top 3 Male, Female, and Non-Binary finishers in the 5K will receive awards in the following age divisions: Overall, 14 & Under, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75+

Top 3 Male, Female, and Open Gender teams in the 5K Relay will receive awards. Relay Divisions: Overall Top 3

Additional surprise awards that having nothing to do with how fast you run!

📜 Registration Policies

• Weather: Event is rain or shine!
• No Refunds: There are NO refunds for this race if you did not purchase the Race Insurance.
• Cancellation: Race Management reserves the right to cancel or modify the event due to unfavorable conditions.
• Fees: Registration fees are not refundable in the event of cancellation due to extreme weather conditions or other unsafe conditions.

🔍 Additional Information

Visit our FAQ, Packet Pickup, Course, & About Hare Bandits, pages below for everything else you need to know!

🤝 Sponsors

Partner with us and help make this event impactful. Contact us to become a sponsor and join us in supporting the LGBTQIA+ community.

📞 Contact Information

For any event-related inquiries or assistance, please contact:

Name: Kaylen Hagadorn, Race Director

Email: info@harebandits.org ATTN: Kaylen

🔗 Website

For more information and registration, visit: Stride for Pride 5K & Relay.