Below are a half-dozen opportunities to get out there this Saturday and do some running for a variety of good causes -- mostly south of Charlotte (although there is one race up north).
While these are mainly 5Ks, there's also a half-marathon in the mix; and although these are primarily road races, a couple of trail runs are out there for fans of more-natural surfaces. Kid-friendly races abound, and there are a couple of brand-new races launching this weekend.
Anyway, let's get to it.
Charlotte Run for Peace at Home
What: 5K trail run, children's fun run/walk.
When: Men's start at 8 a.m., women's at 8:30 a.m. Fun run follows at 9 a.m.
Cost: $30; fun run is free.
Where: McAlpine Creek Greenway, 8711 Monroe Road in Charlotte (just a couple miles from Matthews).
Why: Proceeds benefit anti-domestic violence programs in the Charlotte area, and the motto of the 15-year-old race is "Peace begins at home."
Of note: Target audience here is anyone who enjoys small cross-country events: Last year's race featured just 260 runners. The scenic trail consists of both open flats and challenging hills. Oh, and I'm running this one!
Official site: Click here. To register: Click here.
Miles of Hope
What: 5K and 1-mile fun run (inaugural event).
When: 8 a.m. and 9 a.m., respectively.
Cost: $25/$15.
Where: Winthrop University athletic campus, 1162 Eden Terrace, Rock Hill (start line near the coliseum).
Why: Proceeds benefit Regency Hospice's not-for-profit foundation, which provides care for needy patients.
Of note: First 150 registrants will receive a Dri-Fit T-shirt. In addition to awards for top-3 finishers by age group, other prizes will be raffled off after the race (so hold onto your bib!).
Official site: Click here. To register: Click here.
RLJ Be the Match
What: 5K run/walk (inaugural event).
When: 8 a.m.
Cost: $20 in advance, $25 on race day.
Where: 14500 Grand Palisades Pkwy., just south of Lake Wylie, near the York County line (though still within Charlotte). Start and finish is at the Charlotte United soccer fields.
Why: Run in memory of Robert Lawrence Johnson, the race benefits the National Marrow Donor Program, which matches leukemia and lymphoma sufferers with potential bone marrow donors.
Of note: The 5K's slogan -- "run some hills for a great cause" -- also alludes to the rolling course along the Grand Palisades Parkway. Strollers and children are welcome; pets aren't. Free massages afterward.
Official site: Click here. To register: Click here.
ASC Greenway Trail Run
What: Half marathon/5-miler.
When: 7:30 a.m. and 7:40 a.m., respectively.
Cost: $10 through Wednesday, $20 on race day.
Where: On the trails of the Anne Springs Close Greenway, Coltharp Road and US 21 Bypass in Fort Mill.
Why: $5 from each entry will be donated to the ASC Greenway.
Of note: The entire course is unpaved single-track trails; surfaces include dirt/gravel roads, horse trails, and multiple swinging bridge crossings.
To register: Click here.
Tega Cay Military Memorial
What: 5K and 1-mile family fun run.
When: 8 a.m. and 8:05 a.m., respectively.
Cost: $30 ($35 on race day) for the 5K; $7 ($15 with T-shirt) for the fun run.
Where: Tega Cay Golf Club, 1 Molokai Drive in Tega Cay.
Why: 25 percent of the proceeds will be donated to Tega Cay Parks and Recreation Department.
Of note: Awards will be presented for "the most original running attire in honor of our military heroes." The entire course will be run on the golf cart path (asphalt surface).
To register: Click here.
UpGrade Lifestyle
What: 5K and kids fun run.
When: 8 a.m. and 9 a.m., respectively.
Cost: $25; fun run is free.
Where: Birkdale Residents' Club, 8915 Devonshire Drive, Huntersville.
Why: Not sure, although checks need to be made payable to "Birkdale HOA."
Of note: 5K is an out-and-back course on Devonshire Road. The kids fun run will be held on the grassy fields at the Residents' Club; distances are one quarter-mile to one mile long, depending on age.
To register: Click here.
Running one of these races on Saturday? Which one, and why?
Monday, May 25, 2009
And we're off to the races ...
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6 comments:
$30 is too much for a 5k
$30 is too much????!!! Have you looked into the COST of domestic violence? Do you know that ALL proceeds go to prevent domestic violence? The Run for Peace is a terrific cause, and a great thing to do at any price, and is run TOTALLY by volunteers! I consider it an honor to help out and hope you will also.
Although not a race, there is a great run on Tuesday May 26. The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics is a run made up of multiple law enforcement agencies from Mecklenburg County and several Federal and State agencies. The run begins at 9 am at the corner of Trade and Tryon Streets and continues on Tryon Street until it ends at the Cabarru County line. This is 12.8 miles. Runners will be escorted by motorized and bicycle officers. Runners will run as a group and pass along the Special Olumpics Torch. Runners will run for approximately 3-4 miles before taking a 10 minute refreshment break. This repeats until the run ends. There are support vehicls for refreshments and to act as sag vehicles. There are usually 50 runners participating. At approx 8:45, there is a welcome speech to all runners and a recap about Special Olympics. If you are in the area before the run, please stop by and say hello. If you see the runners today, be considerate of the participants and remember the great cause they are supporting!
Has anyone had experience with the ASC trail run? That sounds like a good, different run. I bet there will be lots of mud. And only $10 bucks!
Posting the date in the "when" column would've been helpful.
As stated in the first sentence of the blog entry, all races are this Saturday.
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