Hundreds celebrate return to in-person Pride events with Rainbow Run 5K

The rain Sunday morning didn’t slow down anyone for the Rainbow Run 5K. More than 1,000 people grabbed their most colorful clothes to participate in the race.

It began in Boom Island Park in Minneapolis and runners made their way down River Road, crossing over the Stone Arch Bridge and eventually looping back into Boom Island Park to cross the finish line.

"We don’t always celebrate the fastest here — we celebrate the best costumes," said Dot Belstler, executive director of Twin Cities Pride.

All ages, all abilities and all people were welcome as inclusivity is what the event is all about.

"I’ve been coming into my identity in the LGBTQ community and I just felt like it was a good time to come on out and try this," Jon Plotz said. This was his first time running in the race and he said he decided to do it for his partner, Sawyer, and two sons.

"It’s exciting to see the way society is changing and becoming more accepting," Plotz said.

This year’s run was a hybrid event, meaning people could run from home or with others along the route. Cheers of encouragement and support followed runners the whole way.

"It’s for people to come out and celebrate being queer," Belstler said.

This is one of many Pride events being held in the month of June and July. The Pride Festival in Loring Park was moved to July 17-18 to give organizers more to prepare after COVID-19 restrictions were loosened just ahead of the month of June.