Roundup: May Races and Charity Events

Runner Stretching Image via Shutterstock

This month, there’s a slew of 5Ks, charity events, and other opportunities to show your athletic prowess. Get in shape for summer, and have fun doing it with our May race calendar.

Race to Save a Species

There are less than 500 North Atlantic right whales left in the world. What can you do about it? Run this 5K and raise money for the preservation of this endangered species. The course runs along the water and is great for beginners and families.

5/3, race starts at 11 a.m., registration is $30, The Roo Bar, 10 Cordage Park, Plymouth, running4free.com

Music for Life

Looking for a race with a great after party? When this 5K is done there will be a rock concert concert with Brooks Young Band headlining.

5/3, race starts at 2:30 p.m., registration is $27 which includes the concert, Wachusett Village Inn, 9 Village Inn Road., Westminster, musicforliferocks.tumblr.com

Run 4 Your Life

Mother’s Day is coming up, so honor the women in your life by participating in this 4- or 2-miler. Money raised will go towards gynecological cancer research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, women’s cancer education, and support for current patients and families.

5/3, race starts at 10 a.m., registration is $30, Sea Crest Beach Hotel, 350 Quaker Road, North Falmouth, active.com/north-falmouth-ma

Lions Spring Sprint Triathlon

This 25th annual triathlon starts with a 250 meter swim at the Wayside Racquet & Swim Club and then goes into a scenic bike and run.

5/4, race starts at 8 a.m., registration is $70 or $80 for a relay team, Wayside Racquet & Swim Club, 80 Broadmeadow Street,  Marlborough, sites.google.com

Great Urban Race Boston

This team race will put your brain and your body to the test. Each team will be given 12 clues that’ll lead to mental and physical challenges throughout Boston. It’s like a day-long, local version of The Amazing Race.

5/10, race starts at 12 p.m., registration is $60, The Kinsale, 2 Center Plaza, Boston, greaturbanrace.com

Heart Challenge Obstacle Trail Run

It’s no secret that cardio is important to your heart health, so join in this 5K obstacle course race that’ll test your strength, agility, and balance. Though it will be more challenging than a typical race, it has been designed so that anyone who can run a 5K will be able to complete this as well.

5/10, race starts at 9 a.m., registration is $75, Prowse Farm, 5 Blue Hill River Road, Canton, heart.kintera.org

Fitness for a Cause

Looking for a strength and cardio workout? Rebook will be hosting an event to fundraise for the Boston Avon Walk  for Breast Cancer. The event will feature two classes, first a 45-minute cardio-kickboxing class and then a barreless barre class.

5/10, events starts at 11 a.m., registration is $27, Reebok International Ltd, 1895 JW Foster Boulevard, Canton, avonwalk.org

Run for Water 8K

Already conquered the 5K? Try this flat-coursed 8K along the beach. Money raised will go towards the Westport River conservation efforts and the other charitable causes of the Westport Fishermen’s Association.

5/10, race starts at 10 a.m., registration is $20, Horseneck Beach, John Reed Road, Westport, westportriver.org

4th Annual Holyoke Police Foot Pursuit

Get chased by the cops and have fun doing it. During this 3.5 mile race you’ll get to find out if you’ve got what it takes to be an outlaw without actually committing any crimes.

5/10, race starts at 12 p.m., registration is $30, Holyoke Lodge of Elks, 250 Whitney Avenue, Holyoke, holyokepolicefootpursuit.com

Running for Ribbons

Support the American Cancer Society in this 5K. This race is great to bring the kids to because there will also be a 1K kids dash.

5/11, race starts at 9 a.m., registration is $20, Cracker Barrel Fair Grounds, 131 Emerald Street, Wrentham, active.com/wrentham-ma

Splash of Color

Add a little color in your life with this 5K color run. A color run is a race where runners get colored powder thrown at them as they run. Participants will start the run wearing all white and will end looking like a rainbow.

5/11, race starts 9 a.m., registration is $35, Crossroads Industrial Park, Forest Street, Marlborough, splashofcolor5k.com

37 Annual Women’s Running Race

Be a part of a Mother’s Day tradition with this 5 or 2.1 mile race. The race is an all women’s race to raise money for non-profit organizations that support the women and girls of Berkshire county.

5/11, race starts at 9:30 a.m., registration is $15, Berkshire Community College Field House, 1350 West Street, Pittsfield, womensrunningrace.com

Bone Frog Challenge

If running 12 miles isn’t challenging enough for you then this race created by the US Navy SEALs will certainly put you to the test. The event has a military-style obstacle every 1/4th of a mile. Be warned, you will finish the course exhausted, muddy, and with a few battle wounds.

5/17, race starts at 9 a.m., registration is $147, Berkshire East Ski Resort, 66 Thunder Mountain Road, Charlemont, bonefrogchallenge.com

Common Man’s Marathon

Not quite marathon ready? Pretend you are with this 2.62 mile race (practically the same thing right?). The race is around Boston Common and welcomes families, dogs, and strollers. Awards will be given out for the best costume.

5/17, race starts at 9 a.m., Boston Commons, corner of Beacon Street and Charles Street, Boston, commonmansmarathon.com

Boston AcroYoga festival

Yoga meets circus in this day-long outdoor festival. Starting at noon there will be AcroYoga workshops for participants of all levels. AcroYoga combines acrobatics and yoga in order to facilitate trust, empowerment, and joy.

5/17, event starts at 12 p.m. and goes till 10 p.m., registration $75, Esh Circus Arts, 44 Park Street, Somerville, thebostoncalendar.com

New England Barefoot and Minimalist 5K

Looking for a low key race to celebrate the spring? Feel free to run barefoot during this flat-coursed race which takes you along beautiful views of the Charles.

5/17, race starts at 3 p.m., registration is $25,  Artesani Park, 1230 Soldiers Field Road, Brighton, neb5k.com

Avon Walk for Breast Cancer

See Boston like never before in this 39-mile walk to raise money for breast cancer research. Participants bind together in the spirit of this cause during this inspirational two-day event. In addition to fundraising before the event (last year Boston raised $4 million) participants will walk through and tour locations like the Blue Hills, Boston Common, and Reebok World Headquarters.

5/17-18, event starts at 6:30 a.m., registration $50, University of Massachusetts Boston, 435 Mount Vernon Street, Boston, avonwalk.org

Hingham Murph Challange

Take the challenge that’s been described as harder than the Navy SEAL entry exam. It consists of a 1-mile run, 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, 300-squats, ending with another 1-mile run. At this event, which raises money for the New England Center for Homeless Veterans, CrossFit coaches will be on site to modify the challenge so that anyone can participate.

5/18, event starts at 8 a.m., registration is $50, Reebok CrossFit Bare Cove, 211 Lincoln Street, Hingham, eventbrite.com

Piggy Trot

Don’t be a pig and come run this 3.7 mile race. All the proceeds will go towards melanoma awareness through the Glenna Kohl Fund for Hope. Prizes will be given out to the participant in the best piggy costume and there will be a fun run for kids to participate in as well.

5/18, race starts at 10 a.m., registration is $25, Dowses Beach, 348 Wianno Avenue, Osterville, glennasfund.org

The Biggest Loser Run/Walk Six Flags

If running isn’t amusing enough for you, try a race at an actual amusement park. The Biggest Loser is trekking across the country challenging Americans to get fit. After this 5K/10K at Six Flags New England, you’ll be able to go to the park for a discounted price. If that’s not motivation enough, previous Biggest Loser contestants will be there too.

5/18,  registration is $45, Six Flags New England, 1623 Main Street, Agawam, biggestloserrunwalk.com

Flat Fast 5K

This flat and fast race is just in time for Memorial Day. The money raised will go towards three charities which support our troops and veterans.

5/24, race starts at 1 p.m., registration is $40, Westfield State University South Lot, 577 Western Avenue, Westfield, runwestfield.com

20th Annual US Coast Guard MWR Duathlon  

Kick off your Memorial Day weekend with this duathlon right at the Coast Guard base on the Cape. The race will be a 2-mile run, a 12-mile bike, and another 2-mile run to finish it off.

5/24, race starts at 9 a.m., registration is $50, Camp Edwards Army National Guard, Connery Avenue, Buzzards Bay, sites.google.com

Boston Runs to Remember

For it’s 10th year, the Boston Police Department and the Boston Police Runner’s Club brings you this half marathon event. The race is to honor Massachusetts law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. For those not quite ready for the half marathon, there will also be a 5-mile race.

5/25, race starts at 7 a.m., registration is $50 for the 5-miler and $95  for the half-marathon, Seaport World Trade Center, 200 Seaport Boulevard, Boston, bostonsruntoremember.com

Diva Dash Provincetown

Embrace your inner diva and join in this 5K. This event is brought to you by Provincetown Cares, an organization dedicated to raising awareness and funds for women’s illnesses.

5/25, race starts at 9 a.m., registration is $40, Harbor Hotel, 698 Commercial Street, Provincetown, active.com/provincetown-ma

Swampscott Dory Run 5K and Kid’s Run

Bring the whole family for the 37th year of this Memorial Day tradition. The event will be a 5K through the scenic town of Swampscott and will have multiple races for kids under 12.

5/26, kid’s races start at 9 a.m. and the 5K starts at 10 a.m., registration is $20 for adults and $10 for kids, Philips Park, Humphrey Street, Swampscott, northshorestriders.com/doryrun

Best Buddies Challenge

Bike or run at this event to raise money for Best Buddies International, an organization which supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The event will end at Hyannis Port where participants can enjoy massages, gourmet food, and a concert by the Dropkick Murphys.

5/31, start times depends on event,  to participate you must commit to fundraise at least $1,550, starting location depends on event, bestbuddieschallenge.org

Warrior Dash Massachusetts

Ever wonder what it’s like to be in an action movie? The Warrior Dash is your chance to find out. In this event you’ll be maneuvering your way through muddy trenches, barricades, and even pits of fire.

5/31, race starts at 8 a.m., registration is $70, Amesbury Sports Park, 12 South Hunt Road, Amesbury, warriordash.com

Escape the Cape Triathlon

Experience the beauty of the Cape with this triathlon. The event will start with a one-third of a mile swim on the calm waters of Onset Bay, then move into a flat-coursed 10-mile bike ride, and it’ll finish with a 3.1 mile run.

5/31, race starts at 9 a.m., registration is $80, Onset Village, 184 Onset Avenue, Onset, maxperformanceonline.com