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Hundreds of gay and lesbian runners took part in the 18th Annual Atlanta Front Runners Pride Run/Walk on Saturday, trekking along a new course that stretched around Midtown.

The event, held at Grant Park for most of its history, this year stepped off from Ansley Mall and featured a 3.1-mile course that moved along Piedmont Road and looped through one of Atlanta’s most historic neighborhoods. Though the run has also served as the unofficial sports event of the Atlanta Pride Festival, that celebration changed dates (and location, too) and opens on July 4.

Despite the changes to the Pride Run, the results were the same as 2007: Ben Clarke (right photo) finished first and was also the overall men’s winner while Kim Feather again took the women’s crown. In fact, when she crossed the finish line on Saturday, Feathers captured the women’s crown for the 12th consecutive year.

Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Jerusalem House, which provides housing for people with HIV/AIDS.

If you’re trying to clear your morning fog with a cup of Starbucks or getting your workout going at LA Fitness at Ansley Mall tomorrow, look out for the runners.

Somewhere near 500 sweaty gay and lesbian runners will be milling around early in the morning for the 18th running of the unofficial sports event of the Atlanta Pride Festival. Trouble is, Pride moved and so did the 18th Annual Atlanta Front Runners Pride Run/Walk.

Hint: If you’re one of those kind-hearted gay race fans who cheers on participants from the porch of their Grant Park home every year, forget it. The race dumped you and moved on to Ansley. Sorry.

Hint, hint: If you’re looking for Pride, well sweetie, that’s next weekend.

If you’re a runner looking for a cause, there’s still time to register. Just show up well in advance of tomorrow’s 8 a.m. start time and they’ll squeeze you in. You’ll still get a t-shirt and grab bag of goodies. Your race fee, like everyone else’s, will go towards a big charitable contribution to Jerusalem House, which provides housing for people with HIV/AIDS.

Check back tomorrow for photos from the event. See, you can enjoy it without getting up early on a Saturday. For a fuller preview, read my recent Southern Voice sports column.

Photo: Sher Pruitt, Southern Voice

Lace up your running shoes and get ready for some change.

The 18th Annual Atlanta Front Runners Pride Run/Walk is set for June 28, but it’s changing locations and is no longer an anchor sporting event of the Atlanta Pride Festival.

The 3.1-mile run, typically held at Grant Park, has moved the starting line to Ansley Mall. And while it’s staying put on the last Saturday in June, Atlanta Pride moved its event back a week, to July 4-6.

Some 500 participants are expected for the run and walk and organizers hope they help raise $10,000 for the Jerusalem House, which provides housing for people with HIV/AIDS. The event has donated more than $150,000 for charity since its inception in 1990.

I talked with race organizers for my Southern Voice sport column this week:

“We think the change to Ansley will be well received,” said Bernie Colligan, president of Front Runners Atlanta. “It’s a beautiful course and it’s just a good spot to start it from.”

Read the full column. Check out the new route after the jump.

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Pity those folks who are organizing gay sports tournaments this summer.

Three big events – the Hotlanta Soccer Classic, 5th Annual Best Ball Scramble Golf Tournament and the 18th Annual Atlanta Frontrunners Pride Run/Walk – are facing big changes this year thanks to the continuing fallout from the state’s long-running drought and the city of Atlanta’s efforts to protect its parks.

The Hotlanta Soccer Classic, a Memorial Day tournament organized by the Hotlanta Soccer Association, draws players from across the county. But restrictions on organized sports at Piedmont Park mean the event must find a new home.

“We are going to have the tournament somewhere,” said Bobby Flournoy, chair of the Hotlanta Soccer Classic. “I can’t say I’m not disappointed we don’t have Piedmont, but we will have the tournament and it will be great.”

The other two events, traditionally held during the Atlanta Pride Festival, also face significant changes since the festival has changed dates and location. For more details, check out my Southern Voice sports column. Read the full story.

A little rain and chilly temperatures didn’t slow down a handful of gay and lesbian runners who took part in the ING Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon on March 30. I talked with three gay participants for this week’s Southern Voice sports column, following up on an initial profile in late February when they were ramping up their training for the event.

Dave Spencer, an official with Front Runners Atlanta and a veteran runner, shaved 10 minutes off his time from the ING event last year, though not quite reaching his goal of running the half marathon in under two hours.

“I didn’t wake up Sunday morning at 5:15 a.m. thinking why am I going to do this,” Spencer says. “That meant I was having fun and wasn’t questioning what I was doing.”

Read the full story.

Fast Break previews the weekend in Atlanta’s gay sports scene. If your event isn’t listed, e-mail me with details.

THURSDAY: Dive into the pool at the Georgia Aquatic Center with the Atlanta Rainbow Trout. Swimming practice at 8 p.m. Atlanta Bucks Rugby Football Club practice, 7 p.m. at Grayson Field in East Point.

FRIDAY: The Atlanta Team Tennis Association hosts the Chattahoochee Doubles Classic, Bitsy Grant Tennis Center. Atlanta Rainbow Trout holds swimming and water polo practice, 7:30 p.m. at Georgia Tech Aquatic Center. Hotlanta Volleyball Association continues its Spring League recreation matches, 7:30 p.m. at Agnes Scott College. Friends Friday bowls at Midtown Bowl, 6:30 p.m. Come Out Dancing offers lessons and a social dancing, 8 p.m. at Several Dancers Core Studio.

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Fast Break previews the week ahead in Atlanta’s gay sports scene. If your event isn’t listed, e-mail me with details.

MONDAY: The Mondays Myth bowling league begins knocking down pins, 8:30 p.m. at Midtown Bowl. Or if line dancing is more your speed, join Southern Line Dancing for its weekly sessions at Wild Mustang. From beginners to trained pros. 7 p.m. Hotlanta Squares at First Metropolitan Community Church of Atlanta. Class for beginners at 7 p.m.; plus class at 9 p.m.

TUESDAY: Atlanta Bucks Rugby Football Club practice. 7 p.m. at Grayson Field in East Point. The Hotlanta Volleyball Association continues its Spring League with intermediate and advanced play. 7:30 p.m. at Agnes Scott College. Atlas Atlanta brings its gay bowlers to Midtown Bowl. 8:30 p.m. Atlanta Rainbow Trout holds swimming and water polo practice at 8 p.m. at Georgia Tech Aquatic Center.

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Quick hits on what’s happening in Atlanta’s gay sports world this weekend:

RUGBY. The Atlanta Bucks Rugby Football Club (1-3) takes on High County in a rematch from late January. High Country won that contest big – 52-3. But the Bucks notched their first win of the season Feb. 23 against Nashville. Game time is 1 p.m. on Saturday at Creel Park in College Park.

RUNNING. Front Runners Atlanta, which typically hosts an 8 a.m. run at Piedmont Park, is changing course this weekend. The group will test a route through Inman Park and Candler Park. 8 a.m. at the parking lot of StudioPlex in Inman Park with a post-run breakfast at Highland Bakery.

SOCCER. The Hotlanta Soccer Association hosts a beer bash and fund-raisers on Saturday. The event is to raise money for the league’s annual tournament held over Memorial Day Weekend. Tap from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

SOFTBALL. The Decatur Women’s Sports League hosts sign up events for its upcoming softball season, which starts March 21. On Saturday, it’s 6 p.m. at 3 Legged Cowboy. On Sunday, it’s 12:30 p.m. at First MCC.

AGSA. The Atlanta Gay Sports Alliance holds its second recruitment event of the year on Sunday. It’s a chance to learn more about the eight sports organizations that make up the alliance, enjoy some eye candy and knock back a drink or two. Blake’s on the Park from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Fast Break previews the weekend in Atlanta’s gay sports scene. If your event isn’t listed, e-mail me with details.

THURSDAY: The Decatur Women’s Sports League plays basketball. Tip-off is 7 p.m. at the Decatur High School gym. Dive into the pool at the Georgia Aquatic Center with the Atlanta Rainbow Trout. Swimming practice at 8 p.m. Atlanta Bucks Rugby Football Club practice, 7 p.m. at Grayson Field in East Point.

FRIDAY: Atlanta Rainbow Trout holds swimming and water polo practice, 7:30 p.m. at Georgia Tech Aquatic Center. Hotlanta Volleyball Association continues its Spring League recreation matches, 7:30 p.m. at Agnes Scott College. The Atlanta Team Tennis Association also offers its Friday Night Drills at Glenlake Tennis Center, 6 p.m. Friends Friday bowls at Midtown Bowl, 6:30 p.m. Come Out Dancing offers lessons and a social dancing, 8 p.m. at Several Dancers Core Studio.

(more…)

Fast Break previews the week ahead in Atlanta’s gay sports scene. If your event isn’t listed, e-mail me with details.

MONDAY: The Mondays Myth bowling league begins knocking down pins, 8:30 p.m. at Midtown Bowl. Or if line dancing is more your speed, join Southern Line Dancing for its weekly sessions at Wild Mustang. From beginners to trained pros. 7 p.m. Hotlanta Squares at First Metropolitan Community Church of Atlanta. Class for beginners at 7 p.m.; plus class at 9 p.m.

TUESDAY: Atlanta Bucks Rugby Football Club practice. 7 p.m. at Grayson Field in East Point. The Hotlanta Volleyball Association continues its Spring League with intermediate and advanced play. 7:30 p.m. at Agnes Scott College. Atlas Atlanta brings its gay bowlers to Midtown Bowl. 8:30 p.m. Atlanta Rainbow Trout holds swimming and water polo practice at 8 p.m. at Georgia Tech Aquatic Center.

WEDNESDAY: Front Runners Atlanta weekly run. 6:30 p.m. at Piedmont Park. Bowl with the Decatur Women’s Sports League. 6:30 p.m. at Suburban Lanes. The Hotlanta Soccer Association continues is winter season in the Atlanta Silverbacks Park League. The Blaze (1-5-1) takes on Chile at 9:40 p.m. while the Heat (1-6) takes on the Ex Presidents at 10:15 p.m. Boys & Girls of Fall takes to the lanes of Midtown Bowl. 8:40 p.m.

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