I hate running. With every fiber of my being, every bone in my body, I hate running.
I cannot understand why so many runners enjoy the sweating and breathing and whole-body soreness associated with running, but one of these days, I hope to come around to their side, just for the sake of my heart health (feel free to check in on my progress any time).
For all you runners out there, you’ve got a little over three months left in 2013 to get all your races in, so we’ve rounded up a list of unique 5Ks and other runs going on in Dallas/Fort Worth for you to consider. Maybe I’ll even walk or bike one or two of these.
Rahr & Sons Oktoberfest 5K Run/Walk, Fort Worth, Sept. 28 – Wrapping with some tasty lager, German food and live polka, the Rahr & Sons Brewing Company promises a jolly good time at their run and bier garden tour. Click here for more information.
Color Me Green 5K & Caterpillar Dash, Frisco, Oct. 5 – Benefiting the TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation, this event honors Connor Cruse, who was four years old when he was diagnosed with neuroblastoma. Connor himself was the inspiration for the TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation and Connor the Caterpillar, who is the official mascot of the National Childhood Cancer Awareness organization. So go out to the Frisco Square and run for Connor, and don’t forget to wear your green! Click here for more information.
Shoes for Orphan Souls 3rd Annual Barefoot Run, Coppell, Oct. 5 – “Barefoot running is a huge trend, but many of the children we serve run barefoot every day because they do not have a choice. By running in this race, you will help provide shoes for children in need – and hope for their future,” Buckner’s Shoes for Orphan Souls says. Now that’s a cause I can get behind. Click here for more information.
Fallen Heroes Bike Race & 5K, Highland Village, Oct. 12 – This race benefits the families of officers who have died in the line of duty, and all registration fees go toward the Fallen Heroes Fund. Click here for more information.
Friends of Frisco Splash of Color Run, Frisco, Oct. 12 – Cruise the Trails of West Frisco for their 5th annual race and wear a white t-shirt to be decorated in the “color zone.” Click here for more information.
The Long Run, Dallas, Oct. 17 - The Long Run is JL Long Middle School's only fundraiser and allows runners to cruise the Santa Fe Trail and Hollywood Heights/Santa Fe neighborhoods for the benefit of the Long Buccaneers! Funds raised go toward uniforms, school instruments, classroom supplies, scholarships and more. Click here for more information.
Halloween Hustle Mud Run, Flower Mound, Oct. 19 – The National Mudrunner’s Association (apparently it’s a thing?) is hosting The Halloween Hustle, which consists of 3.1 miles of trails and more than 20 obstacles and a zip line. Once you wrap up the fitness part of the event, there’s a pumpkin pie-eating contest (a little ironic, huh?), pumpkin carving contest, live music, costume contest and more fun. Click here for more information.
2013 Dallas Undy 5000, Dallas, Oct. 26 – Make sure your undies or boxers are on tight and support the Colon Cancer Alliance by running the White Rock Lake area. You don’t have to wear just your unmentionables, but you can as long as it’s family friendly. Click here for more information.
KAT’s Making Neon Tracks 5K Run/Walk, Richardson, Nov. 2 – UTD’s Zeta Upsilon chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta is holding a night-time glow run on their campus to benefit their philanthrophy, CASA of Collin County. Rock your neon shirt and enjoy the night air! Click here for more information.
Sharing Life Community Outreach Fun Run, Sunnyvale, Nov. 2 – Sharing Life is a worthy fixture in the Mesquite-Sunnyvale area. The outreach offers a food pantry, clothes closet, a holiday program, job skills training and more for those in need. The fun run will benefit Sharing Life’s mission. Click here for more information.
46th Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot, Dallas, Nov. 28 – The Turkey Trot has become something of a storied tradition in the Big D. Held Downtown, runners can choose from a 5K fun run/walk or 8-mile course and burn off the calories they’re about to consume during Thanksgiving dinner. After the run, everyone meets back at City Hall Plaza for Thanksgiving-themed festivities. Click here for more information.
The 7th Annual Santa Scurry 5K Run/Walk, Keller, Dec. 6 – The Santa Scurry starts at Keller Town Hall and is part of the Keller Holly Days Celebration, just in time to get you in the Christmas spirit. Click here for more information.