10 Fall/Winter Runs in St. Louis

During the summer months, it is easy enough to stay active—biking in Forest Park, swimming at the lake, walking around the neighborhood in the morning or evening when it is a little cooler. As the temperature drops in the fall, however, it is a little harder to risk the elements to stay fit. Even making it to the gym becomes odious when swimsuit season ends. Sometimes, all we need is a little motivation. Local races are a great way to stay on track in the fall and winter months. Training for a marathon or 5K can keep you at the gym or bundled up and running around your neighborhood park. It’s also a great way to socialize. Set the goal of running or walking a 5K with a few friends and train together. This will keep you motivated in your fitness goals and help build excitement for the event. Even if you’re simply looking for a fun event to do with your kids, there are plenty of family-friendly, themed 5K walks that let you put together a costume or get covered in paint.

Below is a list of our top 10 favorite races for the fall and winter of 2013: the “serious” races for the more dedicated runners and the lighter, themed races for those looking to have fun while staying healthy. We know it’s easier to hibernate in the winter, but take a look anyway.

1. September 15: The Color Run 5K

Also known as the Happiest 5K on the Planet, this race will take place in Downtown Poelker/Kaufmann Park (13th and Chestnut). Participants in the race will be covered in paint while celebrating “happiness, healthiness, individuality, and giving back to the community.” Proceeds from the race will go towards Food Outreach, a volunteer-based organization in metro-St. Louis that provides nutrition and counseling to men, women and children with HIV/AIDS or cancer in St. Louis. The race begins at 9 a.m. and costs $50 for solo runners and $45 for runners of a (minimum) four-man team. For more info visit thecolorrun.com/st-louis-fall/.

2. September 22: FamiliesROC 5K

Join FamiliesROC as they take on the challenge of raising money for ovarian cancer awareness and research during their 7th-annual 5K. Last year, the event raised $60,000 for The Siteman Cancer Center for Advanced Research—this year, their goal is to raise $75,000. The race will take place at Soldiers Memorial (1315 Chestnut) and begins at 9 a.m. It costs $25 to participate in the one-mile event with registration before the race and $30 the day of the event. For the 5K, it costs $35 before race day and $40 that day. For more information, call 314-620-6398, or visit familiesroc.com/roc-star-5k/.

3. September 28: Flat as a Pancake 5K, 10K, and 15K

Race to Cure Lymphoma is a not-for-profit organization that has been organizing runs since 2008. Determined to cure blood cancer, they donate the money they raise to programs such as the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and Camp Rainbow. The 5K, which takes place at St. Louis Mills Mall, begins at 7:30 a.m. and the 10K starts at 8:10 a.m. The 5K and 10K each cost $40 before September 27 and $45 the day of the event. To participate in both races, for a total distance of 15K, it costs $50 before September 27 and $55 on race day. The one-mile fitness walk for casual participants costs $35 before September 27 and $40 the day of the race. There will also be a Sprite Sprint at 9:30 a.m. for children ages 4-13, which costs $15 before the event and $20 day-of. As a special treat for participants, pancakes will be served at the finish line. For more info, call 636-627-7261, or visit racetocurelymphoma.org/.

4. October 6: MO’ Cowbell Marathon

The third-annual MO’ Cowbell race is now bigger and better than ever. In 2011, they had a half marathon. In 2012, they added a 5K. This year, MO’ Cowbell has a full marathon, with the options of running the half marathon, half marathon relay, or the 5K. Participants are encouraged to bring new and old shoes to donate to Shoeman Water Projects. Also, a portion of the proceeds will go towards the St. Charles City-County Library Foundation’s program, Take 20 and Read. The race kicks off at 7:30 a.m. at Frontier Park (500 S. Riverside, St. Charles). Registration for the marathon is $100, the half marathon relay is $120, the half marathon is $80, and the 5K is $40. For more information, visit mocowbellmarathon.com.

5. October 13: The Great Go! St. Louis Halloween Race

A St. Louis original, Go! St. Louis has several races throughout the year, including the Go! St. Louis Marathon & Family Fitness Weekend in April and the All-American 5K on Father’s Day. Their charity program, Go! For a Cause, was created in 2011 and has since raised $1.2 million for local causes. Registration for the half marathon is $70, $40 for the 10K, $35 for the 5K, $25 for the one-mile Adult Fun Run, and $15 for the Child Fun Run. The race starts near Soldier’s Memorial (1300 Chestnut) and begins with the 5K at 7 a.m., followed by the 10K and half marathon at 7:30 a.m., and the one-mile Fun Run at 10 a.m. The costume contest begins at 10:30 a.m. For more information, visit gostlouis.org/events/the-great-halloween-race/.

6. October 19: Gumbo Flats Pumpkin Run

The Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce has been organizing the Pumpkin Run since 2001. Every year, portions of the proceeds benefit a local charity. This year, they will be donating to Wings of Hope, an organization dedicated to bringing peace and hope to the impoverished worldwide. The 5K and 10K will begin at 8 a.m. and cost $20 and $25 respectively to participate if registered before October 1. It costs $30 and $40 respectively to register the day of the event. The Children’s Fun Run is just $10 for ages 10 and younger. The race will take place at the Chesterfield Towne Centre in the Chesterfield Valley (corner of Long Road and Edison Avenue). For more info, visit chesterfieldmochamber.com/annual-gumbo-flats-pumpkin-run.

7. October 27: Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon and Half Marathon

For the third year running, the Rock ‘n’ Roll race is expected to be a St. Louis favorite. In 2011, there were more than 22,000 runners. With bands set up at every mile, it is sure to entertain, but with a commendable goal. Proceeds from the event will go towards Team Activities for Special Kids (TASK), an organization to create a safe environment for young athletes to enjoy sports. The race begins at 7 a.m. at the corner of Market Street and Tucker Boulevard in downtown St. Louis. Pre-registration costs $130 ($150 day-of) to run the marathon, $145 ($175 day-of) for the half marathon relay, $110 ($150 day-of) for the half marathon, and $40 ($50 day-of) for the mini marathon (3.75 miles). Visit runrocknroll.competitor.com/st-louis for more information.

8. November 3: St. Louis Half Marathon and Special Olympics 5K

This year will mark the 34th year for the St. Louis Half Marathon and the 13th year for the Clayton Police Department Special Olympics 5K. The half marathon begins at 7:30 a.m. at 50 Gay Avenue in Clayton, followed by the 5K at 7:45 a.m. and the half-mile Youth Run at 8:15 a.m. The half marathon costs $60, the 5K costs $25, and the youth run just $10. There are special discounts for STLC members and law enforcement. For more information, visit stlhalfmarathon.org/index.html.

9. November 9: Gateway Cupcake and Bottle Cap Dash

This event has three separate races: the Cupcake 5K Run and Walk, The Bottle Cap Dash 5K Obstacle Run and the 1.5-mile Youth Obstacle Run. Each has its own rules—runners of the Cupcake race can deduct time by gobbling cupcakes at stations throughout the event. By successfully navigating obstacles in the Bottle Cap Dash, runners earn bottle caps, which they can turn in at the race’s end for a six-pack of beer. Finishers of the Youth Run (for those under 21) will win a four-pack of soda and a T-shirt. Proceeds from the events go towards Lift for Life Academy, the first charter school in St. Louis serving city children. The Cupcake Run begins at 9 a.m. and costs $35 to participate ($45 day-of). The Bottle Cap Dash starts at 11 a.m. and is $38 before October 2, $45 before November 3, $50 after November 3, and $60 day-of. Save $15 by registering for both events. The Youth Run, which begins at 1 p.m., is just $10. For more info, visit bigshark.com.

10. December 7: Santas on the Loose 5K Run

The Webster Groves/Shrewsbury/Rock Hill Chamber of Commerce invites runners to don Santa hats and white beards during this 5k. Santas on the Loose starts at 8 a.m., followed by the Reindeers on the Loose Kids 100-yard dash at 9 a.m., with the Stroller Dash immediately following. The race begins and ends at Gazebo Park (6 South Old Orchard, Webster Groves) and costs $30 for the 5k and $15 for the 100-yard dash. Santa Claus will also make an appearance during the race for free photos. For more info, visit go-webster.com/SOL.htm.

These are just a few possible races for fall and winter 2013. Choose them all, or find one that fits you best.