The first world Out Games was held in Montreal, Canada, during the summer of 2006. Seventeen Front Runners New York members participated in track & field, road races, half-marathon/marathon, cycling races, triathlon, and even table tennis (ping pong).

Leading off the medal wins was Rich Velazquez with a spectacular gold medal win in the half-marathon. Rich won the race overall with a time of 1:14:49.

To the right standing in front of the Montreal Olympic Stadium are: Mark Ansell, Rich Velazquez, Bernd Erpenbeck, Jerry McDonnell, and Tom Zangas. All of them participated in at least one of the road races (10K, half-marathon). The participants of the 10K were Bernd (who had a PR), Mark, Ruth Gursky, Tom, and Jan Aitchison. Those who ran the 1/2 marathon were Jerry, Rich Ervais, Stefan Schweinfest, Phil Wahba, and Tor Hansen.

To the left is FRNY member Bryce Wunder cycling the 40K bike portion of the olympic distance triathlon. The cycling portion was held at the Gilles-Villeneuve circuit, the same track where Montreal holds its annual Formula One Canadian Grand Prix race. The course is flat and fast. Other triathletes who participated are Dennis Manalo, Greg Farber, and Joe Lim.

To the right are Bernd Erpenbeck and Michael Benjamin lining up to start the 3000m steeplechase. All runners encounter 28 barriers (including 7 water jumps). The photos in the family album prove they both crossed the water jumps! At the end, Michael earned a bronze medal from this event.

The next OutGames will be held at Copenhagen, Denmark, in 2009. For results and more information, please go to: Outgames website.