The event conflicted with an Orlando area run that will benefit victims of the Orlando shooting. St. Pete Pride organizers are urging runners to go to Orlando.

GULFPORT – Saying their event conflicts with an Orlando area run the same morning, St. Pete Pride organizers have cancelled Saturday’s (June 25) 5K.

Runners in the 5K were scheduled to start at 7 a.m. The event was one of several scheduled for St. Pete Pride weekend.

News of the cancellation came in an email to Gulfport officials that said in part:

“I am sorry to announce that the St. Pete Pride 5k is officially cancelled so not to detract from a similar event being held in Orlando on the same day. #orlandounited5k is being run in the city of Lake Mary on June 25 from 7 a.m. – 9 a.m. This is an official race where all proceeds will be going to the Orlando fund.  St. Pete Pride, Pulse Strong, and the race facilitators do not want to dilute or take away from another event that is for a community that just suffered a huge loss.  … We encourage you to run the #orlandounited5k so that all proceeds will go towards to helping the community.”

Organizers say proceeds will be returned to runners who had already signed up.

The Orlando United 5K starts at 7 a.m. Orlando United says of the race: “Runners are strong. We are aware. We can fight the feelings and the ghosts that threaten us. We are stronger than the demons we face. We are Orlando United.”

For information about St. Pete Pride, go to stpetepride.com. For information about Orlando United, go to orlandounited.com. To sign up for the Orlando United 5K, go to active.com.

St. Pete Pride | Orlando United | Gulfport | Orlando United 5K | TB Reporter

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