Get your schedules out: 5Ks for a good cause this fall
I hope some of you party animals were able to attend one of the 5Ks with the best finish line parties we wrote about at the beginning of the summer.
This list is for runners with hearts of gold: the best upcoming 5Ks for great charity causes! What better way to shed blood (let’s hope not), sweat (yeah, definitely that) and tears (there’s no crying in baseball … or running)?
When: 7:45 a.m. Sept. 12
Where: Uptown
Benefitting: Kids Path pediatric care program of Hospice & Palliative Care of the Charlotte Region. It helps children with long-term or life-threatening illness have a level of normalcy through their illness, allowing kids to be kids.
Good to know: There is a pizza and pasta bar, beer and live music at the finish line. ‘Cause party animals can be do-gooders too.
A visual reminder to accept love into your life | Heartfelt gift: https://t.co/2d5LhzAEpH pic.twitter.com/8q6IXp2bnO #hospice
— Hospice Charlotte (@HospiceCLT) August 6, 2015
When: 8 a.m. Sept. 19
Where: Plaza Midwood Library Branch, 1623 Central Ave.
Benefitting: Our library system and its literacy efforts.
Good to know: Live music and post-race mimosas – that’s a good morning! You get extra points if you run while reading a book. Kidding.
Charlotte library is beautiful pic.twitter.com/nNSbUTeYtD — Dony Santos (@Donysantos8) August 22, 2015
When: 6 p.m. Sept. 19
Where: South End
Benefitting: The Rail Trail expansion. Charlotte Center City’s vision is to connect the neighborhoods that the trail touches while also creating an outdoor space that belongs to all Charlotteans, regardless of the ‘hood you call home.
Good to know: The Rail Trail is used for part of this course – awesome! For your own post-race celebration, check out one of the businesses along the trail. Options include Nan and Byron’s, Ice House, Vin Master and The Liberty.
Great race today #ontherailtrail!! #southendshuffle @SouthEndCLT #fastestkidalive pic.twitter.com/HfAr07v60S
— Charlotte Rail Trail (@RailTrailCLT) September 27, 2014
When: 7 a.m. Sept. 27
Where: Ballanytne
Benefitting: Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte, which offers free lodging and food to families from outside of Mecklenburg County while their children receive treatment at one of the area’s children’s hospitals.
Good to know: There’s on-course entertainment during the race as well as a post-race party with food trucks.
Yesterday we helped serve breakfast to families staying with @rmhofcharlotte. What an awesome way to spend a morning! pic.twitter.com/08UN7HHfDO — Sodoma Law (@SodomaLaw) August 3, 2015
Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure – Charlotte
When: 7:15 a.m. Oct. 3
Where: Uptown
Benefitting: Komen Charlotte, which funds breast cancer research and helps local women as they get treatment. It reaches 13 local counties, with 75 percent of the money raised staying right here in the Carolinas, while the remaining 25 percent goes to national research.
Good to know: The atmosphere of this race is totally vibrant and joyful and includes a survivor parade. Last year, I stumbled on part of the course while I was on my long Saturday run for my half marathon training and it was incredibly inspiring and FOMO-inducing. I can’t wait to get my pink tutu ready to run with the Komen Strong this time around!
#komencharlotte #raceclt pic.twitter.com/HjQhIJA8Ru
— Fit Girl Joy (@fitgirljoydry) October 4, 2014
When: 9 a.m. Oct. 17
Where: McAlpine Creek Park
Benefitting: The American Pit Bull Foundation
Good to know: Runners are encouraged to race with their dogs (and they don’t have to be pit bulls). Pet- and family-friendly activities included on race day.
The amount of fluid your dog needs to stay hydrated while running is 1/2 to 1 ounce of water per pound per day! pic.twitter.com/qlPgHky9ul — Rescue Me 5K (@RescueMe5K) July 10, 2015
Thunder Road Marathon, Half, and 5K
When: 7:30 a.m. Nov. 14
Where: Uptown
Benefitting: While their spotlight beneficiary is Novant Health Hemby Children’s Hospital, they also support other local organizations including Forest Hill Church and Harding University High School.
Good to know: Adding a relay option this year, according to the Facebook page. The finish line celebration will be at Bearden Park with Skinnygirl Wines, Chick-fil-a, Publix and other sponsors. (Want a laugh? Ask me about the last time I got #basic and mixed Skinnygirl products and Chick-fil-a at a Kenny Chesney concert…)
There is entertainment throughout the course as well as at the finish.
Exhausted but Proud! Goal completed.. #ThunderRoadMarathon #AllSmiles Now I’m like
A photo posted by Derrick “Fly Ty” Jacobs (@flytyonair) on Nov 15, 2014 at 4:12pm PST
Sign up, lace up and get that heart of gold pumping, people. See y’all at the finish line!
This story was originally published August 23, 2015 at 11:58 PM with the headline "Get your schedules out: 5Ks for a good cause this fall."