Wilton’s First ‘Come Out and Run 5K’ a Spirited Celebration of Pride [PHOTOS]

Thankfully there was no rain for the runners and walkers participating in Wilton’s first Come Out and Run 5K on Sunday, Sept. 15. There were, however, a multitude of rainbows as the event, hosted by Wilton Pride and Wilton Library, was a celebration of support for the LGBTQ+ community.

More than 200 people took part in the actual race with dozens more supporting and cheering those on the course that began on the Town Green and traversed through Wilton Center and Merwin Meadows and along Kristine Lilly Way before doubling back to the finish line on the Green.

Everywhere anyone looked there were rainbow flags, rainbow stickers, rainbow attire, and rainbow decorations. Music played as instructors from sponsor Burn Boot Camp led pre-race warmups and the crowd exchanged high-fives before the race began.

“People came out, people showed up, people wanted to support,” organizer Farah Masani, Wilton Pride’s president, said. “We are so humbled by this overwhelming show of support.”

The support was widespread, with Wilton residents making up a little more than half (102) of the 201 racers, while the rest came here from out of town. Masani said 42 cities in six states and two continents were represented. Wilton’s largest employer ASML — an event sponsor — boasted 58 employee participants, and Wilton’s First Selectman Toni Boucher also took part.

In addition to the co-host Wilton Library and sponsors ASML and Burn Boot Camp, other sponsors included Mecha Noodle Bar, Ridgefield Running Company, Wilton Chamber of Commerce, Wilton Historical Society, Riverbrook Regional/Wilton Family YMCA, Norwalk River Valley Trail, Szeize the Day and Athletic Brewing Company. GOOD Morning Wilton was the event’s media sponsor.

Wilton Pride’s partners in the event included Vital Stretch, Wilton Youth Council, the high school students from Wilton Loves, Triangle Community Center, Kids in Crisis, Lighthouse, Justin Baiad Photography/Blast Media Group, and Greg Jackson/Action-J Productions.

Masani also extended thanks to the Wilton Police Department, Wilton Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Wilton CERT, Lisa and Tim Gibboney, Michelle Shia (who designed the race logo), and the 30 volunteers who helped produce and staffed the event.