Roundup: June Races and Charity Events

Sunset Summer Run via Shutterstock

The first day of summer is nearly here, so break out the SPF and check out these June races and charity events.

AIDS Walk & 5K Boston

Since 1986, Boston has been gathering on the first Sunday of June for this 5K and walk to raise money for the AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts. The organization provides money for research as well as awareness and support for those affected by HIV and AIDS.

6/1, opening ceremonies start at 9 a.m., registration is $30, DCR Hatch Shell, 47 David G Mugar Way, action.aac.org

Freedom Run at CambridgeSide Galleria

This patriotic themed 5K is a great way to kick off the month. After the race there will be complimentary food, craft beer, a costume contest, and a dance off. If you still have energy left, you can treat yourself to a shopping spree afterward.

6/1, event starts at 7 a.m., registration is $40, CambridgeSide Galleria, 100 CambridgeSide Place, Cambridge, cambridge5k.com

Heartbreak Hill Half & Festival

It’s no secret that there’s a friendly rivalry between the Boston-area colleges. This event will put that spirit to the test because the college with the most students and alumni registered will receive $1,000 toward their intramural sports program. This weekend-long event will feature a 5K, 10K, half marathon, dog run, plenty of food, and athletic-related lectures.

6/6-8, registration price varies by event, Boston College, Linden Lane, Newton, rw.runnersworld.com

Lahey Health 5K Cancer Walk & Run

Participate in this walk and run to support cancer services at Lahey Health. There will be two events at the same date and time, one in Burlington and one in Peabody.

6/7, race starts at 8 a.m., registration is $20, Burlington: Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, 41 Mall Road. Peabody: Lahey Medical Center, 1 Essex Center Drive; laheyhealth5k.org

Take Steps for Crohn’s and Colitis

This family-friendly community walk will raise money for Crohn’s disease and Colitis, two digestive diseases. This event by the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America takes place right on Boston Common, and will also include music, food, and kid’s entertainment.

6/7, walk starts at 10 a.m., Parkman Bandstand in Boston Common, Tremont St., online.ccfa.org

7th Annual Tailgate Trot

As if tailgating weren’t enough of a reason to run this 4-miler, the money raised will be divided among four charitable organizations: the Alzheimer’s Association, the American Cancer Society, the Joslin Diabetes Center High Hopes Fund, and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

6/7, race starts at 8:30 a.m., Waverley Oaks Athletic Club, 411 Waverley Oaks Road, Waltham, tailgatetrot.webs.com

ClimbAmerica

Here’s an event at Fenway Park where you certainly won’t just be sitting and eating hot dogs. Brought to you by Brigham and Women’s Hospital, this stadium climb will take place up the stairs of the oldest ballpark in America and will raise money for heart disease.

6/7, events starts at 9 a.m., participants must fundraise at least $200 to participate, Fenway Park, 4 Yawkey Way, giving.brighamandwomens.org

Farmer’s Market 5K and 1 Mile Trail Race

Two quintessential spring events wrapped up into one: First there will be a 5K through the winding roads of South Hamilton and a 1-mile trail race. After the races, there will be a farmers’ market at Green Meadows Farm in South Hamilton.

6/8, race starts at 11 a.m., registration is $25, Green Meadows Farm, 656 Asbury St., South Hamilton, freshfoodrun.com

Running with Rover

Looking for some bonding time with your four-legged friend? Participate in this 3-mile run with your dog. The race will end at The Urban Hound Hotel, a luxury dog hotel and daycare, where there will be a seminar on how to effectively run with your dog.

6/10, race starts at 6:30 p.m., registration is $10, South End Athletic Company, 652 Tremont St., eventbrite.com

Relay For Life of Millis / Medway / Medfield / Norfolk

Four towns will come together to participate in the American Cancer Society’s signature event, Relay For Life. This national event to raise money for cancer research and support is a 12-hour walkathon that’ll inspire you to continue the fight against cancer long after the event is over.

6/13, event starts at 6 p.m., registration is $10, Medway Middle School, 45 Holliston St., Medway, main.acsevents.org

Blacklight Run

It’s the perfect color run for night owls. During this nighttime 5K, you’ll have glowing neon powder thrown at you. This run is also great for beginners because it’s less about your speed and more about the overall experience.

6/14, race starts at 8:30 p.m., registration is $40, Osgood Landing, 1600 Osgood St., North Andover, blacklightrun.com

Walk with Us to Cure Lupus

Join in this 3.1-mile beachside walk to raise money for Lupus research. Lupus is an autoimmune disease that’s complicated to diagnose and treat, which is why the Alliance for Lupus Research is working to raise $150,000 through this event.

6/14, walk starts at 10 a.m., Dorchester Shores Reservation in Carson Beach, 200 Mount Vernon St., Dorchester, walk.lupusresearch.org

Komera Global Run

What started in Rwanda as a small, girls-only fun run has now become a global movement to support the empowerment of young women. The money raised by this 4-miler will go toward Komera, an organization dedicated to bringing education to girls across the globe.

6/14, race starts at 9:30 a.m., registration is $10, City Sports Boston University, 1035 Commonwealth Ave., komera.org

Spectacle Island 5K

Join in this Flag Day festival on beautiful Spectacle Island in the Boston Harbor. This event will feature a 5K, a kid’s fun run, field day competitions, a picnic lunch, and post-race yoga.

6/14, first ferry to Spectacle Island is 7:50, registration is $35 for the 5K, ferry leaves from Hewitt’s Cove, 30 Shipyard Drive, Hingham, islandalliance.org

Battle of Bunker Hill Road Race

In its 46th year, this memorial 8K will take place right before the Bunker Hill Day Parade. In honor of Bunker Hill Day, this race will run by historical locations such as the Charlestown Navy Yard, the Bunker Hill Monument, and the Warren Tavern.

6/15, race starts at 10 a.m., registration is $30, Charlestown Navy Yard, 100 First Ave., Charlestown, bgcb.org

19th Annual Father’s Day Run

Get fit with your dad in these 5K and 10K races. It’s a great way to kick off Father’s Day with the whole family, no matter how old your kids may be.

6/15, race starts at 9 a.m., registration is $25, the Children’s Museum in Easton, 9 Sullivan Ave., North Easton, fathersdayroadrace.com

Ipswich Rotary Trail Ramble

Looking for a scenic race? This 5K and 10K takes you through the quintessential New England town of Ipswich, where the course runs through a beautiful yet challenging trail that includes farmlands with grazing cows, rolling hills, and the Ipswich river.

6/21, race starts at 10 a.m., registration is $25, Appleton Farms, 219 County Road, Ipswich, appleton5k.com

Summer Solstice 5K

This 5K is brought to you by the Medway Community Farm, which is a non-profit organic farm that supplies fresh produce to Medway and the surrounding towns.

6/21, race starts at 8 a.m., registration is $25, Medway Community Farm, 50 Winthrop Street, Medway, medwaycommunityfarm.org

Swim, Kayak, Walk, or Run Against the Tide

Looking for a fun way to celebrate the first official day of summer? Participate in this event to raise money for the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition. Pick your favorite event whether it be running, walking, swimming, or kayaking. If you can’t choose just one, you can also participate in multiple events.

6/21, first race is at 8:30 a.m., participants must fundraise at least $175 to participate, DCR’s Hopkinton State Park, 268 Cedar Street, Hopkinton, mbcc.org

Rock and Run Boston

Here’s a race where you won’t want to wear your iPod. This 5K obstacle course race will have a live band at every mile-marker to motivate you to make it to the end. The music doesn’t stop at the finish line, though. Included in the price of your ticket is an exclusive post-race concert with an artist TBA.

6/21, race starts at 10 a.m., registration is $75, Assembly Row, 100 Foley Street, Somerville, rockandrunboston.com

South Shore YMCA 6th Annual Youth Triathlon

Do your kids love to run? How about bike and swim? This youth triathlon is for kids from 6- to 13-years-old and is a fun way to get your kid moving.

6/21, race starts at 8 a.m., registration is $25, Emilson YMCA, 75 Mill Street, Hanover, symca.org

Reggae Ramble

Boston may be far from the tropics, but that doesn’t mean you can’t pretend it’s not. Run in this 5K and then enjoy a post-race festival celebrating feel-good island tunes and the flavors of the Caribbean.

6/26, race starts at 6:30 p.m., registration is $30, Eliot Bridge, 5 Greenough Blvd., Cambridge, baevents.com/reggaeramble

Scholarship Fund Road Race

With tuition prices rising every year, higher education is getting harder to afford. This 5-mile race is raising money to provide scholarships to local high school students who are seeking college educations.

6/28, race starts at 8 a.m., registration is $20, Medway High School, 88 Summer St., Medway, mapost75.com

Tory Row 5K

Celebrate the history and culture of Cambridge in this 5K event. The race starts in Harvard Square and runs through the historical streets of Cambridge. Following the race, there will be a complimentary party with beverages and from local breweries and restaurants.

6/29, race starts at 9:30 a.m., registration is $40, Cambridge, 1, 27 Church St., Cambridge, toryrow.us

Robot Race and Human 5K

This is a race perfect for athletes, techies, or athletic-techies. The event starts with a 5K where participants are welcome to dress up like a robot. Following the race, there will be a 100-meter robot race where participants will guide their robot from a control center through a course.

6/29, 5K starts at 8:30 a.m., registration is $25, Davis Square, Somerville, vecnacares.org