Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
SPRING INTO ACTION
Take running outdoors with upcoming area events
S pring is in the air even if there are still a few patches of snow on the ground. Temperatures are starting to warm up which makes the season prime for outdoor running.
People tired of watching time pass slowly while on the treadmill should venture outdoors for running opportunities. There are a variety of runs offered throughout the region in the months of April and May. Those that don’t mind getting a little filthy can try a mud run. People can chase the rainbow with color runs. There are even running events combined with other physical activities like mountain biking and canoeing.
Below is a sampling of upcoming running opportunities in Berks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties. For a more extensive list, visit the Fit for Life website at www.pottsmercfit4life.com.
BERKS COUNTY April 8, Roy G Biv Memorial 5K Run/ Walk in Reading:
The course goes through the Penn State Berks campus and participants will pass by multiple color run stations. Sunglasses and bandanas will be provided to runners. The cost to register is $25. The race begins 1 p.m. from 2080 Tulpehocken Road. For more information and to register, visit the website at bit. ly/2o924pX.
April 22, Filthy Fun Mud Run in Reading:
The 2-mile mud run event includes slides, walls, tunnels, pits, wires and more. Participants will climb, crawl, drag, and pull themselves up during the course. The race is at the Pagoda Motorcycle Club located at 441 Redlane Road. There is also a kids course. The cost to register is $55. Registered participants get free beer if of age. Muddy action shots will also be available to download at no extra charge. For more information and to register, visit www. filthyfunevents.com/Pagoda.htm.
April 23, Laney’s Fashionista 5K in West Reading:
The event raises awareness for Laney’s Legacy of Hope which takes action against pediatric cancer. The course is through the local park system. The race begins at 9 a.m. Parking is at Reading Hospital’s 7th Avenue garage. There will be awards for top finishers as well as awards for the best dressed. The cost to register is $25 if done by April 3. After the race, there will food, face paintings, carnival games and more. For more information and to register, visit laneyslegacyofhope.org/laneysfashionista-5k-2017.
April 30, Beat Beethoven Race in Reading: May 6, 5K Run & 1-Mile Color Run in Reading:
Participants can choose to do both the 5K and the color run or just one of them. Children 12 and under participating in the color run get a medal. There will be awards for top finishers of the 5K race. The 5K begins 10 a.m. from Reading Area Community College located at 10 S. 2nd Street. The color run will begin at 11 a.m. The cost to register is $25. For more information, visit the website at bit.ly/2mYkf1d or call 610-779-2668.
May 6, 5K Adventure Mud Run in Birdsboro:
Proceeds from the event help support the efforts of the High Point Camp and High Point Academy for youth. The mud run course will take participants through mud, up hills, over creeks and around the camp. Awards will be given to top finishers. The race begins 8:30 am. From the High Point Academy parking lot located at 200 Chapel Road. The cost to register is $30. Participants get a T-shirt as well as a breakfast sandwich and fresh fruit on the day of the race. For more information and to register, visit www.hpcamp.org/5k.
May 21, Rustic rage Duathlon & Relay in Birdsboro:
The off-road duathlon and relay is for individuals and 2-person teams. There’s a 3-mile trail run, then a 10-mile mountain bike course and ending with another 3-mile trail run. The race begins 9 a.m. from Rustic Park located at 1314 Haycreek Road. The cost to register is $40 for individuals and $60 for teams. Preregistered participants will receive a race shirt and hot catered food at the finish. To register online, visit the website at bit. ly/2mwEy9V. For more information, visit the website at bit.ly/2nrRVYq or call 610413-8772.
CHESTER COUNTY April 9, Tails and Trail 5K or 3K in Phoenixville:
The event raises funds for the Main Line Animal Rescue. The course has a cross-country style that includes hills and views of the countryside. Friendly dogs and children are encouraged to attend. All dogs must be leashed. The event begins 9 a.m. from the Pickering Meade Farm located at 1149 Pike Springs Road. The cost to register is $30 by March 25 and $35 after that date. Free T-shirts are available to those that register by March. 25. For more information and to register, visit www.mlar.org/tailsand-trails-5k-run.
April 29, Spring in the City 5K in Spring City:
The event includes a 5K run and
April 30, Color the Runway 5K in West Chester:
The color 5K will benefit the United Way of Chester County Financial Stability Center. The event will take place on the Brandywine Airport Runway. The 5K run or walk is untimed as it’s meant a fun activity for every age. The race begins 2 p.m. from 1205 Ward Ave. The cost to register is $35. For more information and to register, visit www.unitedwaychestercounty.org/conquer-runway-5k.
May 13, Run by the River in Phoenixville:
All proceeds benefit the Good Samaritan Shelter which helps those experiencing homelessness in Chester and Lancaster Counties. The race begins 9 a.m. from 45 N. Main Street. Top finishers will receive awards and gift certificates. The cost to register is $30 and $15 for children 12 and under. There will be a post-race party at the Great American Pub where participants get one complimentary drink. For more information and to register, visit www.goodsamshelter.org/events/run-by-the-river.
May 14, 5K for Mother’s Day in West Chester:
Proceeds go to Team CMMD, a nonprofit charity that raises money to fight cancer. The event will begin at 2 p.m. at the intersection of Church and Markets streets in downtown West Chester. The cost to register is $25. For more information and to register online, visit runsignup.com/Race/ PA/WestChester/5kforMothersDay.
May 20, Fallen Heroes 5K Run & 1-Mile Walk in Coatesville:
The event is a tribute to all veterans. Proceeds go to the Wounded Warrior Project. The race will begin 9 a.m. from Hibernia Park located at 1 Park Road. Trophies will be awarded to top finishers. The cost to register is $25 and $20 for veterans. For more information and to register online, visit www.fallenheroespa. org/home.html.
DELAWARE COUNTY April 1, Ridley Run 5K in Secane:
The 5K run and family fun walk benefits the YMCA and the Ridley Educational Foundation. The race begins 8 a.m. from the Ridley Area YMCA located at 900 South Avenue, Secane. The course ends at Ridley High School located at 901 Morton Avenue, Folsom. The cost to register is $30. After the race, participants can enjoy the Ridley Health Awareness Day which includes a fitness challenge, moon bounce, face paintings and more. For more information and to register, visit cyedc.org/ridley-run-5k.
April 2, Make My Day 5K Run & 1-Mile Walk in Havertown:
The event benefits the Kevin Cain Memorial Foundation which helps families faced with financial hardship because of a cancer diagnosis. The course is along the streets of Havertown and is mostly flat except for two back-toback hills. The race begins 3 p.m. from the Annunciation Parish Hall located at 401 Brookline Blvd. The cost to register is $30 and $15 for kids. Prizes will be awarded to top finishers. After the race, there will be an awards ceremony, post-race party and raffle. For more information and to register, visit www.kevincain.org/therace.html or call 610-789-1722.
April 8, Joseph Theinert Memorial 5K Run/Walk in Wayne:
Joseph Theinert, a Valley Forge Military College graduate, was killed in the line of duty in 2010. A scholarship was created in his name to benefit college cadets planning to serve in the military. The 5K race begins 9 a.m. from 1001 Eagle Road. Adult registration is $30 and student registration is $15. For more information and to register, visit the website at bit. ly/2naYwnT or call 610-989-1331.
April 22, Twilight Run & Walk in Haverford:
This year’s event will remember Jane Greenspun who was the director of technology for the Haverford School District. Proceeds will help fund the technology grant that named after Greenspun. The race begins 5 p.m. from Haverford High School located at 200 Mill Road. The cost to register for the 5K is 25 and $15 for a 1-mile elementary challenge. There will be free food and drink offered after the race. Participants under the age of 18 will be entered in a drawing for two Fitbits. For more information and to register, visit www. haverfordtwilightrun.org.
May 20, Warrior’s 5K Run in Media:
The run benefits wounded military veterans and their families. The grassy course is through Rose Tree Park. The race begins 10 a.m. from 1671 N. Providence Road. The 5K run is combined with a Walk for the Wounded event. There will be a ceremony honoring the troops, a kids fun zone and more. The cost to register for the 5K is $30. Participants will get a swag bag and free T-shirt. For more information and to register, visit
May 22, Fitness Trail Run in Newtown Square:
A 5K trail run will be offered as part of a “Blood Sweat Cheer Festival.” The trail run is through rugged terrain and wooded areas. The cost to participate is $40. The festival will also include a blood drive, yoga, rowing, food and more. The trail run begins 11 a.m. from the Delaware County Veterans Memorial located at 4599 West Chester Pike. For more information and to register, visit bloodsweatcheerfestival.com.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY April 1, Swamp Creek Stomp 5K & 10K in Perkiomenville:
The trail run course will go through sections of Bob Wayland Memorial Park and Constable Charles Spellhoffer Memorial Park at Swamp Creek. There will be muddy areas, creek crossings, short hills, open fields and more along the course. Prizes will be awarded to top finishers. All pre-registered runners will receive T-shirts. The race begins 9 a.m. from Bob Wayland Memorial Park located at 263 Fagleysville Road. The cost to register is $30. There will be a free fun run for children 11 and under. Proceeds from the event benefit the Upper Frederick Park and Recreation Department. For more information and to register, visit the website at bit.ly/2mXLAAO.
April 1, Race to End Hunger in Lansdale:
Proceeds of the annual event benefit Manna on Main Street, a community outreach organization committed to ending hunger in the North Penn region. There will be a 5K race, 5-mile race, fun run and even a shopping cart challenge. Running events begin at 8 a.m. from Knapp Elementary School located at 698 Knapp Road. The cost to register for the fun run is $10, $35 for the 5K and $40 for the 5-mile run. Registration for the shopping cart challenge is $50 and must be done by March 25. There will be prizes for top finishers and race giveaways. For more information and to register, visit mannaonmain. org/5k or call 215-8555454.
April 2, Lettuce Run 5K in East Norriton:
The run around Norristown Farm Park will raise money for the Sweet Fields community organic farm and education center. The race begins 9 a.m. from 530 W. Germantown Pike. Adult registration is $25. For more information and to register, visit sweetfields.org/event/lettuce-runa-5k.
April 9, Hobart’s Ram Run in Pottstown:
The event will include a 5K race and 1-mile fun run. The race begins 9 a.m. from The Hill School Far Fields/William W. Hauser Track. The Hill School Far Fields is located off Beech Street. Driving directions can be found at www.thehill.org. The course includes The Hill School campus and the east end of Pottstown. Medals and awards will be given to top finishers. The cost to register is $20. To register online, visit the website bit.ly/2nG9ELY. For more information, contact Shelley Baumgarten at 610-705-117 or the email sbaumgarten@ thehill.org.
April 22, 5-mile trail run & 2-mile canoe in Schwenksville:
The Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy is organizing the two-person race to celebrate the connection between land and water. The Lenape Survival Challenge starts from the conservancy then continues through woods, trails and fields to Spring Mountain. Participants will then run through a wooded mountain top and travel back down by canoe. The event begins at 9 a.m. from 6 Halderman Road. Canoes, paddles and life vests are provided for participants. For more information and to register, visit www. perkiomenwatershed.org/ lenape-survival-challenge.
April 22, YWCA Tri-County Area Race Against Racism in Pottstown:
The event is in conjunction with Stand Against Racism which supports racial justice education and advocacy. The 5K color
run or walk will begin 8:30 a.m. from Riverfront Park located at 140 College Drive. The course is paved and mostly flat. All paying participants will receive a T-shirt, sunglasses and color powder. Adult registrations are $30 and students (K – 12) are $15. For more information and to register, visit the website at bit.ly/2mXwhs0.
April 23, Valley Forge Revolutionary 5-Mile Run:
The course is through the scenic Valley Forge National Historic Park. The event also includes a 3-mile walk and Young Patriots fun run for children ages 6 to 14. All proceeds from the event benefit the park. The race begins 8:30 a.m. The cost to register for the 5-mile run is $40, the 3-mile walk is $15 and the fun run is $15. For more information and to register online, visit www.valleyforge. org/revolutionary-run.