Spring is here, and so is the emergence of this year's 5K season. Training for a 5K (about 3.1 miles) is a great way to stay on track with your exercise regiment without stretching your limits too far, especially for those of you that aren't entirely fond of running. Also, many 5K's support local organizations, so not only do you keep yourself in shape, but you can also help others in the community. Here's a list of some of the upcoming 5K's this month. If you know of any other 5K's around town, please add them in the comments section.
May 14
Ready... Set... Give! for Nurses for Newborns 5K/10K walk and run. $25 per person minimum donation. 8 a.m. Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 1755 Des Peres, 636-236-8959, readysetgive.org.
Bridge the Gap to Health 5K. $25. 8 a.m. Clat Adams Park, Front & Hampshire, Quincy, Ill., 217-228-2323, quincymedgroup.com.
Jaguar 5K to benefit the Edgar Road Elementary P.E. department. $14 youth ages 18 and under, $20 adults. 8:25 a.m. Edgar Road School, 1131 Edgar, 314-918-4536, ersjaguar5K.com.
Tour de Grove 5K, The Running of the Grove. $30. 9 a.m. Atomic Cowboy parking lot, 4140 Manchester, tourdegrove.com.
Benton Park Neighborhood Association 2011 5K: Reclaiming the 80s!, benefiting Trailnet and BPNA. $20 through May12, $25 after May 12. 9 a.m. Benton Park, Jefferson & Arsenal, bpnastl.org.
City of the Sun 5K Trail Run/Walk, benefiting programs at Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site. $25. 9 a.m. Cahokia Mounds Historic Site, 30 Ramey, Collinsville, Ill., 618-346-5160, cahokiamounds.org.
2011 MMRF Race for Research: St. Louis, benefiting the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. $25. 9 a.m. Upper Muny Lot, Forest Park, 203-652-0238, themmrf.org.
Live Well Ferguson 5K Twilight Run/Walk, benefiting youth scholarships and summer programs at the YMCA and local tornado relief funds. $20, $10 ages 12 and under. 6 p.m. 501 S. Florissant, livewellferg5k.com.
May 15
O'Fallon Downhill 5K Run/Walk, benefiting the Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. $20. 8:30 a.m. Shiloh Community Park, 1 Park, Shiloh, Ill., 618-622-1513, ofallon.org.
Archimedes 5K Fun Run, benefiting Eureka Parks and Recreation. $20, $25 day of. 8:30 a.m. Kircher Park, Eureka, archimedesrun.com.
New Balance Girls on the Run 5K, benefiting Girls on the Run. $30 adults, $20 children ages 12 and under, $90 for a family of four. 9 a.m. The Muny, 1 Theatre Drive, 314-862-6266, girlsontherunstlouis.org.
May 22
St. Louis Children's Hosptial Make Tracks for the Zoo 26th Annual 5K Run/Walk, benefiting the conservation work of the Saint Louis Zoo. $22. 7:30 a.m. Saint Louis Zoo, near Kiener Memorial gates, corner of Washington and Government, 314-646-4771, stlzoo.org.
May 28
5K Run for Bonifest, benefiting St. Boniface Parish. $20 through May 13, $25 after May 13. 8:30 a.m. St. Boniface Catholic Church, corner of Bandalia and Buchanan, Edwardsville, Ill., bonifest.com.
May 30
University City 5K Memorial Day Run, benefiting the Green Center, U-City in Bloom, University City Children's Center, and University City Public Library. $20 before May 27, $25 after May 27. 8 a.m. University City Public Library, 6701 Delmar, 314-727-3150, ucpl.lib.mo.us.
