BENEFITS
The Polar Plunge Series
March 8: The fifth annual benefit for Special Olympics Colorado (SOCO) continues with a plunge in the Aurora Reservoir. Details on the website. specialolympicsco.org
Leprechaun 5K Run Fun
March 16: Friends of Strasburg Parks & Rec present this benefit for the Youth Scholarship Program. Prizes will be awarded for the best-dressed leprechaun and top three walkers and top three runners. Start time is 8 a.m. Strasburg Rec Center, 1932 Burton St., strasburgparks.org
Lucky Laces 5K/10K
March 15: Invites “lads and lasses, ladies and lords” for the third annual benefit for Denver Urban Ministries that also includes a Little Leprechaun Fun Run. Start times are 8:40 a.m. for the Fun Run, 9 a.m. for the 5K and 10K. An after-party with live music follows at the Parkside Mansion, 1859 York St. Participants may bring canned goods to benefit local food banks. Denver’s City Park, denum.org, runningguru.com/event/ll2014
Runnin’ of the Green
March 16: Wear green for the 26th annual benefit for Volunteers of America that includes the Lucky 7K Run and Walk (4.35 miles) and The Leprechaun Leap, a 2-mile non-timed walk. Registration is 7-9:30 a.m. and race time for challenged athletes is 10:10 a.m., rolling waves begin at 10:15 a.m. The Leprechaun Leap is at 10:35 a.m. Post-race festivities follow. The Volunteers of America programs include Meals on Wheels and the Brandon Center for battered women and their children. Starts and ends in front of Union Station at 17th and Wazee, in LoDo, rotg.org
Sharin’ O’ the Green 5K Run/Walk
March 15: The “fast flat” course is USTAF certified, chip-timed and benefits Partners Mentoring Youth that matches local youth with positive adult mentors. Registration is 7-8:15 a.m., a Kid’s Shamrock Scurry begins at 8:15 a.m., 5K at 8:30 a.m. An awards ceremony follows. Fees vary, teams welcome. A post-race celebration follows. Starts and ends at Library Park, 200 Matthews St., Fort Collins,
Spring Fever 5K, 10K & Half Marathon
March 22: All-Out Multisport invites athletes of all levels to the second annual benefit for the Parkinson Association of the Rockies. Courses follow Arvada’s Blunn Reservoir via the Ralston Creek Trail. Jefferson County’s NAAC Stadium, 19500 W. 64th Parkway, Golden, e-mail events@alloutmultisport.com, alloutmultisport.com
SPECIAL EVENTS
Arapahoe Community College’s Science Cafe
March 5: Professor Thomas Checkley presents “Alzheimer’s Disease: Issues in Prevention and Detection,” 2-3:30 p.m. Free. Half Moon Room, Arapahoe Community College, 5900 S. Santa Fe Drive, Littleton, 303-797-5851
Englewood Recreation Center
Through March 8: Continues its free week of fitness classes, visit the bit.ly/1dnxZpm for the schedule. 1155 W. Oxford Ave., Englewood, englewoodrec.org
Kids Running America
Registration deadline March 17: Registration is open for the KRA Spring Marathon Running Program, an incremental running program designed for kids to run 26.2 miles over a given time frame, finishing their final mile at Washington Park April 27. The fee is $30 and includes the 10-12 week program, a mileage-tracking system, entry into the Final Mile Event, race-day goodie bag, finisher’s medal, T-shirt and certificate of completion. Individuals and teams are encouraged to participate. 303-917-1002, kidsrunningamerica.org
ONGOING
Feisty Fit Females
A free exercise group for female cancer survivors meets the final Thursday of each month, 6:30-8:30 p.m. 303-798-7614, feistyfitfemales.org
Hatha Yoga with Jan
Through March 31: Classes 5:45-7 p.m. Mondays, 5:45-6:45 p.m. Wednesdays (no class March 5), 8:30-9:45 a.m. Saturdays. $5 minimum donation for charity. St. John’s Cathedral, 1350 Washington St., Room 200, 303-894-0648, hathayogawithjan.com
Compiled by Vickie Heath, The Denver Post
Mail items at least 10-14 days in advance to Fitness Calendar, The Denver Post, 101 W. Colfax Ave., Suite 600, Denver, CO 80202; fax 303-954-1679, e-mail living@denverpost.com
