On your mark. Get set. GAY. Gay 5K Run (or walk), that is. Or if the Saturday morning start time is too early, you can even ‘sleep-in.’ The point is—run, walk, sleep, roll, crawl, lesbian, gay, bi, trans or straight—anyone can help celebrate diversity with OutCentral’s seventh annual Gay 5K Run/Walk.

Seven years ago, a tiny race that could—known then only as The Rainbow Run—laced up its shoes with a handful of runners. With a name switch in 2012, the Gay 5K has steadily built itself into the Pride month schedules of many Nashville runners (and other supporters).

Last year’s event drew more than 150 registered runners and the 2014 race is aiming even higher as the OutCentral and the Gay 5K host it’s first-ever chip timed race. “We are very excited to offer chip timing to Gay 5K participants this year.  We’ve listened to the feedback from previous years’ runners and we are very excited to offer chip timing to Gay 5K participants this year,” said Stacey Irvin, co-chair of the Gay 5K committee. “For serious runners, chip timing makes all the difference when deciding which races to run. We hope that chip timing will attract even more runners to our event.”

The 2014 Gay 5K Run and Walk, presented by Elan Hair and Skin, will take place Saturday, June 28, 2014 at the Shelby Bottoms Greenway in East Nashville. While runners are urged to register in advance, registration will open that morning at 6:45 a.m., with a 7:30 a.m. 5K race time. Registration for the 5K Run/Walk is $30 and includes a Gay 5K t-shirt. Children are encouraged to participate in the 1-mile FUN RUN and registration for that is $15. And of course, you can still support OutCentral and hit snooze all Saturday morning long with the popular 'sleep-in' option—no one will ever know you didn't run the race for that t-shirt! No matter your level of activity, all registration can be done in advance by clicking the giant Gay 5K logo on OutCentral’s homepage (outcentral.org).

To honor its Rainbow Run roots, participants are encouraged to wear their best rainbow running wear and prizes will be awarded to the top runners and the best costumes.

To register for this year's Gay 5K, click here.

photo by Christopher Malone