Exploding with Pride

Brooklyn Pride 5K run/walk finish line (Photo by Lainey Nguyen for WFUV)
Despite the rain, more than 450 eager athletes gathered at Prospect Park for the Brooklyn Pride LGBTQ+ 5k Run/Walk on June 14. Many participants were sporting headbands, socks, and face glitter with the rainbow colors of the Pride flag, celebrating the queer community.
Runner Adeline Bellesheim came down from Westport, Massachusetts for the race. She was dressed in rainbow-striped shorts, and she had adorned smiley face stickers all over her body.
“As a teenager, I was not very proud, not very confident in my queerness," said Bellesheim. "I met my wife, and we have just exploded with pride. It just feels so good to be my true self.”
The 5K run and walk has been part of Brooklyn Pride since 1998. The event's organizers partnered with an LGBTQ+ runners club called Front Runners NYC.
The 3.1-mile course follows a loop in the park, which is shaded by vibrant green foliage. Participants could choose to either run or walk, and the athletes range from seasoned runners to families choosing to walk.
Race director Kyle Naff saw a variety of people joining in. “It is kind of interesting to see the dichotomy of the people from Front Runners that are racers, and then you have the people that are kind of in the back," said Naff. "They got strollers, they got the party, you know they’re just having a good time."
On the sidelines were Kristina Coriaty, Sarah Moser and Silvana Alfonso, cheering on their friend Michael. Coriaty and Moser are teachers, and for them it’s important to educate their students about the LGBTQ+ movement.
“Just being able to be yourself in public, in the daylight, without any fear of any kind of judgement in any way — that feels really important right now,” Coriaty said.
After about 18 minutes into the 5K, the first few runners started to appear at the final stretch. The race was won by Kester Antiquina, a member of Front Runners NYC.
Spirits were high with cheering from friends, family and fellow athletes, as more people crossed the finish line.
Participants celebrated Pride not only through their colorful accessories, but also through the support they showed for each other.
This interview ran on the What’s What podcast from WFUV News on June 17, 2025.