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Pride Run from Marion to Carbondale Planned for June 26

Pride flag
Pete Linforth
/
Pixabay
The run will go from Marion to Carbondale, along Rt. 13.

An area teacher will be running 10 miles from Marion to Carbondale to demonstrate support for the LGBTQ community.

Tim Kee teaches in Johnston City, and has been a volunteer with the Rainbow Cafe in Carbondale for ten years. He said he got the idea for the run when he heard people saying the LGBTQ community had less support in Marion. He worked with the mayors of Marion and Carbondale to coordinate the event, which he said is not a fundraiser.

"It's not to raise money, it's just to raise awareness and to get some community involvement. And I know some people have already told me that they're gonna be along thirteen with flags and posters and banners, so you know, that's what I want. I want people to see other people involved with this," he said.

He added that he and his husband have received lots of support from the community in Marion.

Kee also admits the event has grown since his original conversation with Marion Mayor Mike Absher and Carbondale Mayor Mike Henry.

"It has just turned into something more than I thought it was going to be," Kee said. "I mean I just told them, you know, I want to run, I want to run from Marion to Carbondale, I want to join the mayors so that people can see, and you know that's what I thought it was going to be."

Supporters are welcome to gather along Rt. 13 to show support for runners. Kee, who said he runs `10 miles every Monday, has also mapped out options for runners who would like to join for a 5K or `10K run. He can be reached at tkee@jcindians.org.

Anyone who would like to run with Kee can meet at Heartland Regional Medical Center between 7 and 8 am on June 26th. The run will begin at 8 am.

Steph Whiteside is a Digital Media News Specialist with WSIU radio in Carbondale, Ill. She previously worked as a general reporter at AJ+ and Current TV.
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