Roundup: September Road Races

Runners road race image via Shutterstock.

Go back to school (or back to work) on a strong note by getting in shape and signing up for a road race as a motivator. Whether you’re hoping to run a short 5K to get your blood pumping, or whether you’ve been thinking about signing up for a half marathon to challenge yourself, one of these local runs is likely just what you’ve been looking for.

All State Life Insurance Boston 13.1

This half marathon, slated for five months to the day after the Boston Marathon bombings, will include marathon icons Bill Rodgers and Frank Shorter. All funds raised by the race will go to The One Fund. If you’re not feeling like running a half marathon, you can also sign up for a 5K at the same time and place.

9/13. Race begins at 7:30 a.m. at Suffolk Downs, 525 McClellan Highway, Boston. Visit 131marathon.com for more information and registration.

Barefoot Running Festival

This second annual festival, sponsored by the New England Barefoot Runners, involves exactly what it sounds like: running without shoes. The 5K race takes place along the Charles River on a smooth, flat surface, and the organizers of the festival will also offer barefoot running clinics. The event will continue for the entire weekend and will also include a 5-mile barefoot beach run on Sunday, as well as a clambake by the beach after that race. Running barefoot is optional.

9/13 – 9/15. Saturday’s events will take place at Artesani Park in Cambridge, and Sunday’s events will take place at the Good Harbor Beach in Glouster. Visit bostonbarefootrunningfestival.com for more information and registration.

Coaches vs. Cancer 5K Classic

This third annual 5K race at Boston College will raise money for the American Cancer Society. The race, organized by Steven Donahue, Boston College’s Men’s Basketball coach, will be hosted by the BC men’s basketball team. Over the past few years, the team has raised over $16,000 to support cancer research. The first 300 people to sign up for the race will receive an Under Armour t-shirt, so you show up early.

9/14. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and race begins at 10 a.m. at the Boston College campus in Chestnut Hill. Visit coaches.acsevents.org for more information and registration.

Autism Awareness 5K

“Put back the pieces” by participating in this 5K race in North Easton. The race will benefit autism awareness in Massachusetts, and all funds will be donated to the National Autism Association, which is based out of New England but benefits families all over the nation. Registration closes on the Thursday before the race.

9/21. Race begins at 259 Massapoag Avenue, North Easton. Visit active.com/5k-race/north-easton-ma/austism-awareness for more information and registration.

Free to Breathe Chelmsford Lung Cancer 5K Run/Walk and 1-Mile Walk

Driven by their mission to double lung cancer survival by the year 2020, Free to Breathe hosts dozens of events nationwide to raise awareness and funds for lung cancer research. This Chelmsford event will feature silent auctions, rallies, and a Kid’s Dash in addition to the untimed 5k and 1-mile walk. Registration online closes on September 17th, mail-in registration must be received by September 16th, or you can register the day of.

9/22. Registration and events begin at 8 a.m. at Harrington Elementary School at 120 Richardson Road, Chelmsford. Visit www.freetobreathe.org for more information and registration.

Run Wild 5K at Franklin Park Zoo

Run with animals in this 5k through Franklin Park Zoo and the surrounding area. The race goes through the zoo, along the trails of Franklin Park, and on the track in White Stadium. After the race, the zoo party will feature local beer and is hosted by Zoo New England and MAGC 106.7 who will be handing out prizes, and playing games and music. Registration is now available online.

9/22. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. and race begins at 8:30 a.m. at Franklin Park Zoo, 1 Franklin Park Road, Boston. Visit www.franklinparkzoo.org for more information and registration. 

Running with the Bridesmaids

Have an ugly bridemaids dress? Put it on and head to the Boston Common for this fun run, which lets you get some extra use out of that once-in-a-lifetime (and likely unbecoming) dress. The run is only a mile long through the Boston Common, and all proceeds go to the Big Sister Association of Greater Boston.

9/28. Race begins at 9 a.m. at Downtown Crossing in Boston. Visit boston.com/running-with-the-bridesmaids for more information and registration. 

The Samaritans 5K Run/ Walk

This event has been taking place for 15 years. The race is sponsored by Samaritans, a local non-profit organization that supports individuals contemplating suicide and those who have lost a loved one to suicide. Funds raised by the race will go to 24/7 crisis lines sponsored by the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The race will take place along the Charles River, and the organizers encourage fundraising. You will, after all, be “running for someone else’s life.”

9/28. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and race begins at 10 a.m at DCR’s Artesani Park in Brighton. Visit samaritanshope.org/5k for more information and registration. 

The Susan G. Komen Massachusetts Annual Race for the Cure

Since 1993, the Massachusetts Race for the Cure has been attracting hundreds of thousands of racers to this annual fundraiser. Every year, 75 percent of the race’s revenue stays right here in Massachusetts to help fund screenings, medical care, and follow-ups. The race begins at 8 a.m. and registration is available online.

9/29. Race begins at 8 a.m. at Joe Moakley Park, 600 William J. Day Boulevard, Boston. Visit www.komenmassrace.org/2013 for more information and registration.