Palm Springs, CA (The Hollywood Times) 11/9/26 – The first light of morning creeps into the Coachella Valley from the east. Palm Springs is still quiet, but city trucks are already moving through the streets, placing barricades along the route of the annual Palm Springs Pride 5K Run & Walk.
At the corner of Belardo Road and Chino Drive, volunteers in blue shirts gather in the parking lot. Tents go up, tables are unfolded, portable restrooms are checked, and final preparations are made before the crowds arrive.
Volunteers receive their assignments and head to their stations. Some will monitor intersections, ensuring runners and walkers stay on course and that no unsuspecting lesbians miss a turn and end up wandering through Warm Sands. Others will prepare water stations, arranging cups and filling containers, ready to greet the first runners and, a little later, the final walkers as the desert morning grows warmer.
Soon, the quiet streets begin to come alive. Runners and walkers search for parking, collect their numbered bibs, and reconnect with friends in the growing crowd. Others arrive on foot from nearby homes and hotels.
There are competitive runners stretching their legs, casual walkers catching up with friends, and plenty of participants who have come simply to enjoy a morning filled with movement, laughter, and community spirit.
A Record-Breaking Morning of Pride
A Record-Breaking Morning of PrideBy 8 a.m., 1,200 registered participants are ready to take to the streets of Old Las Palmas.
This year’s event sold out on October 25, nearly two weeks before race day. By comparison, in 2025, the same registration limit wasn’t reached until the day before the race.
The numbers tell a remarkable story of growth. Since 2021, registrations have increased by several hundred participants each year.
By Kim Kieler
