Roundup: July Road Races

5k Race image via Shutterstock.

Sure, it’s getting hotter in Boston, but that’s an even better reason to spend time outside this month. Whether you’re looking to challenge yourself or to just have fun, one of these road races is bound to be what you’re looking for.

The Great Harvard 4th of July Race

This 5-mile race, with a 1-mile fun run if you’re not feeling the longer distance, is a great way to start your 4th of July celebration this year. Plus, there’s a parade and festival following the race.

7/4. Race begins 8:15 a.m. at Hildreth Elementary School, 27 Massachusetts Ave, Harvard. Visit harvardraces for more information and registration. 

Freedom Trail Fun

If you want to work off the calories you consumed on the 4th of July, or if you want to get a taste of Boston history following the celebration of America’s birth, this is the perfect road race for you. The 5k will take you from the Boston Common to Charlestown.

7/5. Run begins at 2:00 p.m. at The Boston Common. Visit FreedomTrailRun for more information and registration.

Berna’s Great Legs 5k

If you’re a woman and you think you have great legs (or even just sub-par legs), you’re a prime candidate for this race, which takes place in Lowell and will raise money for The Lowell House of Hope, a homeless shelter.

7/11. Run begins at 7:00 pm at the Reilly School, 15 Douglas Road, Lowell. Visit glrr.net for more information and registration.

Marathon Sports 5-Miler

Sign up to run 5.2 miles in the 38th annual Marathon Sports 5-miler. The race includes sections of road running, track running, and even a bit of trail running, and you’ll get a beautiful look at the suburbs while you’re at it.

7/18. Run begins at 7:00 p.m. at 444 Wellesley Street, Weston. Visit RaceWire to register.

Run for Bauman

This 2.62-mile run in Chelmsford will help raise money for Jeff Bauman, one of the men who lost multiple limbs in the Boston Marathon bombings (you may have seen the iconic image of him being taken to an ambulance in a wheelchair on the day of the bombings). All proceeds for the run will go directly to Bauman and his family to help pay his many medical bills.

7/20. Run begins at 9:00 a.m. Chelmsford High School, 200 Richardson Rd., North Chelmsford. Visit RunforBauman for more information and registration.

Narragansett Summer Running Festival

A running festival sponsored by a brewery? Okay, we’re in. This series of races— a 5k, 10k, and half marathon, will be followed by a post-race festival that is hosted by Narragansett Beer. Each runner gets a beer, and entertainment by local bands will be provided.

7/21. Half Marathon begins at 8:30 a.m., 5k at 9:00 a.m., and 10k at 9:30 a.m. at Stonehill College, 320 Washington Street, Easton. Visit GansettRun for more information and registration.

Camp Harbor View Island 5K

Jack Connors and Mayor Menino created this camp, which takes in 800 inner-city youth from Boston each summer to help them learn leadership skills and discover new talents and passions. This 5k race, which takes place on the camp’s grounds, raises money for the camp. The beautiful views of Boston are unparalleled, and transportation from Boston’s Long Wharf and Quincy’s Marina Bay will be provided. There is also a post-race party.

7/25. Run begins at 7:00 p.m. at Camp Harbor View Island. Visit CampHarborView5K for registration and more information.

Color Me Rad 5K

You’ve probably seen pictures of your runner friends covered in paint from color runs, so this is your chance to hop on the bandwagon. Throughout the run, you’ll be bombarded with “color bombs” of blue, green, pink, purple, and yellow cornstarch, so you’ll cross the finish line looking just like a pack of Skittles. The race also raises money for Special Olympics Massachusetts.

7/27. Waves of runners begin racing at 8 a.m. at the Brockton Fairgrounds, 600 Belmont Street, Brockton. Visit ColorMeRad for more information and registration.