‘A huge party full of love’: Short run, big fun at B103 Rockford’s Pride .1K race

By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — There’s no need to train for B103 Rockford’s run to support the LGBTQIA+ community.

All you need is a desire to show your pride and have the ability to saunter a mere 328 feet.

But just because you don’t need to train for the second annual Pride .1K Run doesn’t mean nobody does. Miki Grable’s 4- and 5-year-old children looked forward to the event since doing it a year ago.

“They’ve been training all year, so we’re pretty excited,” she said with a laugh before the race started Saturday. “A lot of running in the yard, some relays, chasing the puppy, lots of real intense training.”

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The running isn’t the point for Grable and the roughly 100 others who took part in the race through the alley near The Office Niteclub in downtown.

“For me it’s really important to support the LGBTQ community,” she said. “I think it’s important to be an ally to other brothers and sisters in the community.”

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B103 Rockford puts on the event with the help of a host of sponsors, including chief sponsor Collins Aerospace. A part of the proceeds go toward The Liam Foundation, a nonprofit which supports people in the LGBTQIA+ community.

“It’s just a huge party full of love, everybody is invited, it’s totally inclusive, you can tell that everybody feels accepted when they step in here,” said Lisa Tyler, a midday personality on B103.

B103 Rockford is a partner radio station of the Rock River Current.

The race was just part of the party. After its conclusion participants went inside The Office, 513 E. State St., to dance, socialize and enjoy the day.

“It doesn’t matter your race, your gender, who you love, all being able to come into this space and feeling welcome is awesome,” said Chelsea Meyer, co-host of the B103 Morning Routine and a Rock River Current contributor.

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Meyer went through the race with her wife, Kayla, and their new puppy, Benny.

“I love Rockford and this just shows how our community comes together for each other,” she said.

This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas.