On Saturday, August 16, Run Madtown in partnership with OutReach LGBTQ+ Community Center will be hosting its first Annual LET’S GLOW 5K run at Madison’s Warner Park at 8:00 p.m. The vibrant nighttime fun run will feature glowing bracelets and other wearables, glowing mile markers, brightly light arches and other visual delights to light up the night in style.

The event will kickoff OutReach’s much beloved Magic Pride Festival, which will take place the following day on August 17, from 1:00 – 6:00 p.m. at Warner Park.

Participants are encouraged to dress in their brightest neon, glowing, or magical outfits, and come ready to experience fun, energy, and community spirit. The run is non-competitive, family friendly, accommodating of all abilities and fitness levels.

Additionally, Run Madtown has been very intentional in its inclusion of gender non-conforming categories for registration and time recordings, as well as an opt in/out system for publicly listing a participant’s name and finishing times. These policies are part of the organizations ongoing efforts to increase accessibility, safety, inclusion, and access to fun and healthy events for everyone.

As Run Madtown Race Director Beth Salinger put it, “We don’t want people to feel limited because they don’t fit into those categories, or they think they’re ‘not runners,’ or they’re ‘not fit enough,’ or any other label. We want people to know that these events are for everyone.”

When discussing the importance of these inclusive policies, Salinger explained how proud they were to be able to track finishers in all gender categories so that the fastest nonbinary finishers also get to break the finisher tape as they crossed the finish line and feel celebrated the same way as anybody else.

Another feature of Run Madtown events that helps differentiate them from other races and fun runs is having Harmony Breeze, a well-known local drag queen performer, as their emcee. A runner herself, Harmony Breeze brings a warm, entertaining, and encouraging presence to every race.

“People just love Harmony,” Salinger noted. “To the point where they come just for her, to see her perform and take photos with her.”

All runners (or walkers, or whatevers!) will receive a Run Madtown duffel bag for participating, a one-of-a-kind finisher medal to commemorate the unique event, a glowing bracelet, and a LET’S GLOW race bib to prove you showed up!

Registration for volunteers is NOW OPEN! Volunteers will receive a complimentary entry to the Run Madtown Twilight 5K and a Run Madtown volunteer t-shirt

Our Lives readers can use the code OURLIVES25 for 10% off entry to LET’S GLOW (either in person or virtual option).

Click here to register!