GET MOVING
Spring means a packed calendar for runners, cyclists, climbers and more.
Let Fit City pack your spring recreation calendar
Fasten your bike helmets and double-lace your running shoes, Austin. Spring has arrived, and the fitness calendar is packed with all kinds of activities that’ll help you work up a sweat.
Not sure where to begin? We’ve sorted through the listings for you and picked out some of the ones that caught our eye. Whatever you decide to do, get outside, stretch a muscle or two and enjoy the weather. Here’s our list of suggestions:
Field day: Waller Creek Conservancy will host a Field Day from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. May 12 at Palm Park, 711 E Third St. The family- and fun oriented health event includes yoga, cooking demonstrations, performances and live music. Children can participate in games, from javelin throw to ring toss and sack races, that are designed to make physical activity easy and fun. Wheatsville Co-op, YMCA, Austin Nature & Science Center, Capital Metro, We Are Blood, Think Bilingual Austin, Mexican-American Cultural Center and the League of Women Voters will host information booths. Admission is free. For more information, go to wallercreek.org.
Paddle talk: Want to know more about paddling in Central Texas? Local paddling guru Bob Spain will host a talk and book signing for his new book, “Bob Spain’s Canoeing Guide and Favorite Texas Paddling Trails,” on May 17 at REI’s downtown location, 601 North
Lamar Blvd. Registration is limited for Spain’s talk at 6:30 p.m., but anyone may attend the book signing at 7 p.m.
Bike to work: Every May, cities across the country celebrate National Bike Month. Here in Austin, the highlight of the month comes on Bike to Work Day, set this year for May 18. The best part of that day? Free breakfast for bike commuters from 6:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. at fueling stations all over the city. The day wraps up with a party from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Cheer Up Charlies, 900 Red River St. Don’t forget to pick up a passport at the first fueling station you visit. You’ll get one entry into the evening’s door prize drawing for each stamp you collect. For more information and a list of official fueling stations, go to bikeaustin. org/b2wd.
Fun run: The Color Run is coming to Travis County Expo Center, 7311 Decker Lane, at 9 a.m. May 19. Participants walk, run or dance their way through four color zones and end up covered in colors. It’s not timed, and there is no winner. This year’s theme, the Color Run Hero Tour, features new course elements, including a trampoline photo. To register, go to thecolorrun.com/locations/austin. Tickets range from $14.99 to $37.99.
Another fun run: Like to run and drink margaritas? This year’s Maudie’s Moonlight Margarita Run and Party is set for June 7. More than 2,500 runners are expected to line up for the 5K, which begins at 8 p.m. on Walter Seaholm Drive. The party, featuring live music, margaritas and dinner by Maudie’s Tex-Mex, will unfold on Seaholm’s Great Lawn. Proceeds benefit the nonprofit the Trail Foundation, which uses money for improvement projects on the 10.1-mile Butler Hike and Bike Trail around Lady Bird Lake. Tickets are $100 for the run and party, $35 for the run only and $70 for the party only. Prices will increase June 5. For more information or to purchase tickets, go to thetrailfoundation.org/MMR. Hard work pays off: Celebrate Million Mile Month on May 19 with a party and expo hosted by the nonprofit HealthCode. Austin musician Guy Forsyth will lead a free Tai Chi class, musician SaulPaul will lead a hip-hop/ two-step session, Camp Gladiator founder Ally Davidson will lead a workout session, and former University of Texas AllAmerican and two-time NFL Super Bowl champ Dan Neil will mingle with guests. It’s to celebrate the community’s completion of 1 million miles of physical activity. The free event takes place from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Austin’s Central Public Library, 710 West Cesar Chavez St. RSVP at healthcodeexpo.eventbrite.com.
A tough paddle: The grueling Texas Water Safari, billed as “the World’s Toughest Canoe Race,” is a 260-mile paddle race from San Marcos to Seadrift on the Texas Coast that kicks off June 9 at Aquarena Springs. The race first took place in 1963. For more information go to texaswatersafari.org.
One more 5k: The Cooking Light & Health Fit Foodie Festival & 5K will take place June 23 at Mueller Lake Park, 4550 Mueller Blvd. Nibble your way along a 5K course with food tasting stations, and then enjoy a post-run food and fitness festival complete with a beer garden and culinary and fitness demonstrations. Tickets are $35 and increase to $45 on May 18. A portion of proceeds will benefit the nonprofit No Kid Hungry, which works to end child hunger in America. For tickets, go to fitfoodierun.com.