Louisville Youth Group is inviting the community to lace up, show up, and get a little silly at Seneca Park this fall. On Sept. 27, 2025, the nonprofit will host its Rainbow Dash 5K and Wacky Races — a morning packed with running shoes, costumes, and plenty of queer joy.

The day kicks off at 8 a.m. with a 5K run and walk around the park’s 1.2-mile accessible loop. Whether you’re clocking a personal best, power-walking with friends, or just hollering from the sidelines, every step helps fuel Louisville Youth Group’s mission: empowering LGBTQIA+ youth in Kentucky and Southern Indiana.

At 10 a.m., the Rainbow Dash takes a sharp turn from sporty to downright campy. That’s when the Wacky Races begin — a team relay stuffed with playful challenges, costumes, and the kind of chaos that makes everyone a winner. Think relay batons mixed with a little drag brunch energy.

“Rainbow Dash isn’t only about crossing a finish line,” said Madelyn Spalding, Louisville Youth Group’s director of development. “It’s about celebrating our joy, lifting up LGBTQIA+ youth, and creating a safe, welcoming space for all.”

Money raised through registration, sponsorships, and donations will directly support LYG’s free programming — peer groups, leadership opportunities, outreach, and the safe spaces queer youth have relied on since the organization began in 1990.

Registration is open now at runsignup.com/Race/KY/Louisville/RainbowDash. Beyond the races, the morning will feature community activities, snacks, and the kind of connection that keeps queer folks showing up for one another.

Louisville Youth Group is Kentucky’s oldest LGBTQIA+ youth nonprofit, and for 35 years, it’s held the door open for young people to show up exactly as they are. The Rainbow Dash continues that legacy — proof that running shoes and wacky relays can be just as powerful as any rally or march.