Have you even been interested in running? If you are anything like me, the thought of running for the fun of it is somewhat of an oxymoron. However, the fact of the matter is that running is extremely good for us, a population inundated by health problems related to inactivity. Edmonton’s Arctic Frontrunners Club and Calgary Frontrunners Club would like to change our attitudes about running by inviting us to join them in an activity to keep us happy and healthy.

The Calgary Frontrunners Club was formed in 1991 after Calgarians who participated in the 1990 Gay Games in Vancouver led an effort to promote health and an active lifestyle to the Calgary LGBT community. Currently they run with a core group of 20 runners and walkers of various skill levels, both gay and straight. The focus of the club to provide a free, friendly, and social atmosphere where anyone can feel comfortable and share an interest in fitness, without being competitive.

Like clockwork, every Saturday throughout the year at 9am, the Calgary Frontrunners meet at the Eau Claire YMCA. Tim, Calgary Frontrunners organizer, emphasizes the variety of routes and participants each week.

“We support a walking group that meets on Saturday mornings with us. This is an effort to include those who do not wish to run. …We run or walk in groups that organically form after starting out together, according to ability, fitness, or even by the conversation you get into that particular day.”

Typical routes include the Crowchild underpass, Edworthy Park, Nose Hill Park, Calgary Zoo, or the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. Afterwards coffee/brunch is usually held at any number of locations.

Further north, the Edmonton Arctic Front runners is similarly a free recreational running and walking group for Edmonton’s LGBT community. All are welcome, and similarly the group runs all year long, every Sunday at 10am. They meet at Emily Murphy Park in the spring, summer, and fall and at the Kinsmen Centre in the winter.

Bill Addison, organizer of Edmonton Frontrunners encourages individuals of all skill sets to come for a run to try them out – “bring a sense of humour,” he adds. Afterwards the group goes for a post-run coffee at Leva or Tesora. “We are coffee snobs.”

So, bring your running shoes, and dress for the unpredictable Albertan weather.