Record-breaking pride run kicks off WorldPride in New York City
NEW YORK (WABC) -- One day before an estimated 4 million people gather in New York City for the WorldPride march, several city-wide events are celebrating the LGBTQ+ community.
The 38th annual Front Runners New York LGBT Pride Run that kicked off at 8:30 a.m. in Central Park broke the Guinness World Record for the largest pride charity run, with 10,236 participants. The finishers in the 5-mile race were led through the Central Park course by winners Urgesa Kedir Figa of Ethiopia (25:19) and Lindsey Scherf of High Falls, New York (28:06).
This year's beneficiary was New York City's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center (The Center) in the West Village.
Also in Central Park, the Youth Pride event at noon is geared toward LGBTQ+ teens, but the free event is open to everyone. Singer Ava Max will headline the event, which will take place on the SummerStage.
WorldPride NYC coverages begins at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 30 with an ABC News Pride special on Channel 7 and abc7NY.com. And then at noon, join our team of Ken Rosato, Sam Champion, Lauren Glassberg and Kemberly Richardson for live coverage of WorldPride NYC 2019 on Channel 7 and abc7NY.com.
WorldPride marks 50 years since the uprising at The Stonewall Inn, where a police raid sparked a rebellion that fueled the modern LGBTQ rights movement
The riots spilled out into the street, and that's how the Pride March was born. And for this weekend's largest ever march, security is tight.
On Sunday, there will be police just about everywhere -- some visible, and others not.
"Expect to see thousands of highly visible officers," NYPD Chief of Department Terence Monahan said. "In addition to the cops you see, there will be plenty in plainclothes you don't see. They will be mixed in with the crowd to monitor anything suspicious. Although we have more security for World Pride than in years past, we still need the public's help."
Many streets will be closed on Sunday, stretching from the Village all the way up past Times Square.
The MTA is increasing subway service, including the L train which will run every four minutes.
CLICK HERE for mass transit, security information for NYC Pride March on June 30
Find more Pride stories from this year and year's past at abc7NY.com/pride.
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