Roundup: March Races and Charity Events
Race image via shutterstock
Spring is just around the corner, which means it’s time to get out of your winter hibernation and get active. March usually feels like the longest month of the year, so make it go by quick by adding some of these events to your calendar. We’ve gathered some March road races and other athletic events that’ll get you cheering for the spring, even if the weather doesn’t feel like it yet.
Black Cat Road Race
In the fourth annual Black Cat Road Race, you have the option of running either a 20-mile or 10-mile race. If either of those are too much for you there’s also a relay race option. This event is great for anyone training for the Boston Marathon.
3/1, race starts at 9 a.m., $65 to register, Salem Boys & Girls Club, 3 Hawthorne Blvd, Salem, blackcatroadrace.com
Spin for the Jimmy Fund
On March 1, head to Pursuit Boston and spin for the Jimmy Fund. There will be four classes throughout the day, and all proceeds go to the Jimmy Fund.
3/1, first class is 8:30 a.m., $20 a class, 569 Boylston St, pursuitboston.com
Smuttynose Palooza 5K
Embrace the upcoming season with this coastal race. Enjoy the beautiful ocean views and return to Blue Ocean Music Hall for an after party and a karaoke contest. Awards will be given for both the race and the karaoke contest, so if you aren’t the fastest runner you can redeem yourself at the mic.
3/8, race starts at 9 a.m., $30 for online registration until March 4, race day registration $35, Blue Ocean Pavilion, 4 Ocean Front North, Salisbury, smuttynose-palooza.com
4th Annual Michael McCaffrey Hope Challenge
At this 5K, all proceeds will support the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The race is in honor of Michael McCaffrey, a navel officer who passed away from colon cancer.
3/8, race starts at 9 a.m., $20 for online registration, Sherwood Middle School, 28 Sherwood Ave, Shrewsbury, teammccaffrey5k.org
Climb4Life Boston
Climb against cancer in this two-day rock-climbing event at the MetroRock Climbing Center and Central Rock Gym. The fundraiser is brought to you by the HERA Women’s Cancer foundation and will raise money and awareness for ovarian cancer. The event is welcome to climbers of all levels and ages. It will also have contests, auctions, yoga sessions, refreshments, and more.
3/8-3/9; first day goes from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at MetroRock, second day is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Central Rock; registration is $45 after February; MetroRock Climbing Center, 69 Norman St, Everett; Central Rock Gym, 74 Acton St, Watertown, kintera.org
Green Stride St. Patty’s Day 5K/10K & Pub Crawl
Get in the spirit of St. Patty’s Day and attend this day of running and drinking. The event is another scenic Salisbury Beach race and will take place on a flat course. Whether you decide to run the 5K or 10K, all runners are invited to a post-race pub-crawl near Salisbury beach.
3/15; race starts at 10 a.m., registration is $25, cost does not include drinks during pub-crawl; Salisbury Beach State Reservation, 212 Beach Rd, Salisbury, stpattyrace.com
Shamrock Shuffle
Come decked out in your favorite St. Patty’s apparel for this 5K. This themed race will be followed by a free 100-yard “leprechaun chase” for kids. The race will start and end at the Harbour Restaurant where there will be post race festivities and awards will be given out.
3/15, day of race registration starts at 9 a.m., registration is $30 until March 3 and $40 after, Harbour Restaurant, 463 Maple St, Winchendon, active.com
New Bedford Half Marathon
This half-marathon in the historic seaport city of New Bedford is entering its 37th year. A new addition this year, which will take place the day before the race, is a special kid’s day that’ll feature fun and athletic activities for children. This event has something for the whole family.
3/16; race starts at 11 a.m.; registration is $70 and ends on March 1; New Bedford YMCA, 25 South Water St, New Bedford, newbedfordhalfmarathon.com/register-2014-race/
St. Patrick’s Day Road Race
Looking for a St. Patrick’s Day race right here in Boston? This historical race has been around since the 1940s. All the proceeds go to the South Boston Boy’s and Girl’s Club Keystone Teen Leadership Program, which promotes community service and leadership for teens ages 16 to 18.
3/16, race starts at 11 a.m.; registration is $22.50; South Boston Boys & Girls Club, 230 West 6th Street, South Boston, bgcb.org
Plymouth Recreation 5K Scholarship Race
Participate in a race the first weekend of spring with this 5K. All the proceeds go towards the Plymouth Recreation Department’s youth scholarship that allows local children to participate in public recreation no matter their family’s financial status. The event invites both kids and adults to walk, run, or donate to the cause.
3/22, race starts at 10 a.m., registration is $27.50, Forges Field, 83, Jordan Rd, Plymouth, runsignup.com
Tri for the YWCA
Not quite ready for an entirely outdoor triathlon? Participate in this year’s 4th annual Tri for the Newburyport YWCA. The event has all the elements of a triathlon but both the cycle and swim are inside. The running portion will be outside. This event is a great way to try out a triathlon for your first time.
3/23, race starts at 8 a.m., registration is $40, YWCA Newburyport, 13 Market Street, Newburyport, active.com
Key Club 5K Run/Walk to Eliminate
Run or walk along Buzzards Bay while raising money to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus. The disease is responsible for the deaths of thousands of infants worldwide. All the money raised will be donated to UNICEF and Kiwanis to help provide mothers and infants with immunizations.
3/29, race starts at 9 a.m., registration is $20 if you are under 18 and $25 if you are over 18, Buzzards Bay Recreation Area, 110 Main St, Buzzards Bay, keyclub5k.weebly.com
Up, Down, & Around Challenge
What’s better then a triathlon? A quadathalon! This challenge at Wachusett will start with a 3-mile run around the parking lot and then go into a 8-mile bike ride. After participants will hike up to the summit of the mountain and finish the race with a ski or snowboard down the mountain. Don’t want to do all the events? You can participate as a team with each member taking responsibility for a different leg of the race.
3/29, race starts at 11 a.m, registration is $50, $25 if you are under 18, Wachusett Mountain Ski Area, 499 Mountain Rd, Princeton, wachusett.com
