June is a great time to get a little prideful. Tuesday was the fifth anniversary of legalized same-sex marriages in Ontario, and Pride Toronto kicks off next Friday and runs until Sunday, June 29. (Keep an eye on Torontoist for full details on the Pride to-do list.) In the meantime, it might be a good idea to get in some exercise. Don't take it personally: it's to prep for the 5K Pride and Remembrance Run happening on the morning of Saturday, June 28. Torontoist caught up with runner John Ainey to get the scoop on the Run.

Ainey is busy recruiting friends for the race, although he didn't know anyone the first time he ran. "I kept seeing flyers in local coffee shops and had never officially joined a 5K, so I signed up and asked my sister to come watch at the finish line," he told us. "I had a blast: it's far more fabulous and has more of a sense of community than any other run. My sister ended up joining in the race a few years later."

What makes this run different from other charitable races? "First, looking good is far more important that your race time," jokes Ainey, "and, second, they have a killer brunch post-race, which often seals the deal for people on-the-fence about joining." (If you can't run, you can always pledge. All donations over $25 will receive a tax receipt.) There is also a strong chance of seeing people decked out in costumes, says Ainey. "There's always one fellow that dresses up like the queen (and always has attendants running just behind her), you might see a group of Dorothys running through, or people covered head to toe in paint to look like a leopard or Superman. There's really a lot of thought put into it."

As if waking up after partying on Friday to boys in running shoes and shorts isn't enough, there are also bound to be surprises during the run: "One year, attendants at the water stations wore only white towels," remembers Ainey, "and a runner reached out to grab one in fun, but didn't realize that the waterboy wasn't wearing anything under." Aside from the chance for waterboy nudity, Ainey also mentions the charitable causes: "The proceeds go to local organizations that directly affect my friends." This year's run will benefit Youthline, a peer counselling service for queer youths in Ontario, and Queer Youth Digital Video Project (QYDVP), an off-shoot program of Inside Out for youths to express themselves through video and learn about video production.

This year, Ainey is running as part of Team Skirt. Running as part of a team saves participants $5 off the registration fee, although Ainey warns he may chase down team members to convince them to wear skirts during the run. As for his plans after the run, Ainey is fairly certain: "I'll adjust my underwear, then look for water."

Photo of last year's run by RichardRhyme. Photo of John Ainey off his Facebook page.