subscribe | advertise | about | contact | home

Make the Commitment:
Summer Runs and Walks throughout the Sound
by Roberta Greenwood

We all know that getting outside and exercising is good for us, how could we not? Messages on the benefits of fresh air and physical activity are everywhere. Yet it can still be hard to lace up those shoes and head out the door. This summer you might consider participating in one of the region’s many walks or runs to motivate you to get moving.

Signing up for a group event may just be what it takes to make daily exercise a part of your summer routine — just talk to Nancy Kasmar, 3-Day Breast Cancer Training Walk Leader and team captain. “For me, the best reasons I give interested walkers is the chance to spend girl-time outdoors, with terrific people. We’re also doing something so positive; each walker commits to raise over $2,200 for breast cancer research and treatment. It’s amazing as I watch these women train — we’re an awesome bunch!”

Commitment to a cause or a team you care about can make it harder to shirk off a training workout, and when the going gets tough on the day of the event, a partner or group can offer support to keep you moving toward the finish line. In addition to the improvements in your physical health, group exercise can also boost your mental and social health. “We train with women who’ve just completed chemotherapy; some of our walkers are long time survivors,” says Kasmar. “They’re my heroes. When I’m having a bad day, I think about them…and I just keep going!”

Some events offer training sessions to help you prepare for the challenges of the course; others just require that you show up and bring a spirit of adventure. Here’s a look at a few of the events coming up from June through September.

june

2-3 Relay for Life, Green Lake Park, Seattle. Supports the American Cancer Society www.greenlakerelay.com

9-10 Relay for Life, Mercer Island High School, Mercer Island. Supports the American Cancer Society. www.mercerislandrelay.com

10 8th Annual Furry 5K, Seward Park, Seattle. Supports Seattle Animal Shelter. www.furry5k.com

16 Susan G Komen Race for the Cure 5K run or walk; 1-mile walk. Qwest Field, Seattle. www.komenseattle.org

16-17 Relay for Life, Interlake High School, Bellevue. Supports the American Cancer Society. www.cancer.org

16 17th Annual Walk for Rice, 2.5 mile fun run and walk-a-thon, Seward Park, Seattle. Fundraiser for Asian Counseling and Referral Service. www.walkforrice.com

23 Bridle Trails Park Foundation 5th Annual 5K, 10K, 30K Trail Run & Donkey Dash (Kids). Bridle Trails State Park, located next to I-405 where Kirkland, Bellevue and Redmond meet. Proceeds benefit Bridle Trails Park Foundation. www.bridletrails.org

24 30th Annual Shore Run & Walk. 6.7 mile run from Seward Park; 5K run & walk from Leschi, and 1K kids’ run in Madison Park. Benefits Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. www.fhcrc.org

july

8 Virginia Mason Team Medicine Marathon at Seafair, Bellevue. Full and half marathon run &walk, 5K run & walk, Kids race. Benefits the Floyd & Delores Jones Cancer Institute at Virginia Mason. www.seafairmarathon.com

15 Wacky Whelays, Bothell High School, Bothell. Relay games for people of all ages on wheels, includes those living with disabilities and their caregivers. bobr@nsb.org

22 13th Annual Swedish SummeRun Swedish Medical Center, First Hill, Seattle. 10K and 5K run, 5K walk to benefit the Marsha Rivkin Center for Ovarian Cancer Research. www.swedish.org/summerun

28 Seafair Torchlight Run 8K & 5K. Qwest Field, Seattle. www.seafair.com

august

4 Once Around Lake Cavanaugh 7.8 mile fun run, Mount Vernon. www.lakecavanaugh.info

11 Cougar Mountain 13-mile Trail Run, Cougar Mountain Regional Park, Bellevue. Supports King County Parks and the Regional Wildlife park. www.seattlerunningcompany.com

september

9 RYKA Iron Girl Seattle, Women’s 10K & 5K run, Green Lake Park, Seattle. Empowering women lead a healthy lifestyle. www.irongirl.com

7-9 Seattle Breast Cancer 3-Day, 60-mile walk over three days. Walkers must raise a minimum of $2,200. Benefits Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund. www.the3day.org

7-9 Bellingham VolksFest, Bellingham. 3 day festival of walks. www.nwtrekkers.org

22 Power of Recovery Walk, 1.5 mile walk, Carillon Point, Kirkland. Benefits the Alcohol/Drug 24-Hour Helpline. www.recoverywalk.org

29 America’s Step Out for Diabetes, 2-6 mile walking routes. Seward Park, Seattle. www.diabetes.org/walk

©2007 Caliope Publishing Company