Spring and summer are the seasons for sports, and Chicago has plenty. Pick and choose a charity race, bike tour or fun run that will get you moving.
MAY
May 1: Windy City Relay
A 10K race in which partners each run 5K. Course starts outside Soldier Field at 8 a.m. and heads south.
Cost: $29, www.windycityrelay.com
May 8: Y-ME Race Against Breast Cancer (right)
5K run, 3-mile walk or 1-mile walk. Start and finish in Grant Park, race starts at 9 a.m., and 25,000 runners/walkers are expected.
Cost: $25, www.y-me.org.
May 22: Margaret Bradley Memorial 10K run
Race around the area of the 1893 World’s Fair. Starts at 8 a.m. Cash prizes are awarded, and proceeds benefit the Margaret Bradley Scholarship Fund at the University of Chicago. About 1,000 runners are expected.
Cost: $25, www.universalsole.com
May 29: Bike the Drive
A non-competitive 15- or 30-mile bike ride on Lake Shore Drive. All bikes must be off the drive by 10:15 a.m., so the starting time can be as early as 5:30 a.m. for new riders.
Cost: $30 for members of Chicagoland Bike Federation; $35 for non-members. www.bikethedrive.org
JUNE
June 4: Wonder Girl 5K run
The race benefits Girls on the Run-Chicago, a fitness and wellness program for girls. Starts and ends at Montrose Harbor. Race starts at 9 a.m.
Cost: $20, www.gotrchicago.com
June 4: Ride for AIDS Chicago (above)
A two-day, 170-mile bike ride from Evanston to Lake Geneva, Wis., and back. Event raises money to support AIDS services.
Cost: $65; no pledge minimum, but riders are asked to raise $1,000. www.rideforaids.org
June 5: United Run for the Zoo
10K run, 5K run/walk benefiting Lincoln Park Zoo. Run starts on Cannon Drive and zips through the zoo. 5K begins at 8 a.m., 10K starts at 8:30 am.
Cost: $20 to run, www.lpzoo.org
June 12: North Shore Half Marathon run
Highland Park race includes road racing and beach running. Benefits Misericordia Heart of Mercy. Race limited to 1,500 runners, and racers must run at least 13-minute miles.
Cost: $35 online, www.northshorehalf.com
JULY
July 8: Beverly Hills Cycling Classic
This Pro-Am 100K criterium loops around the South Side neighborhood. Racers must qualify in advance, but regular riders can enjoy a 5- or 10-mile family ride.
Cost: $10 for family ride, which begins at 4 p.m. Pro race starts at 6 p.m. Festival with food and beverages follows. www.bapa.org
July 9/10: The L.A.T.E. Ride
A midnight, non-competitive, 25-mile bike ride through Greek Town and the Northwest Side. About 9,000 riders are expected to bike in the 17th annual ride. Mid-route rest stop has food, drink and massages. Postrace breakfast at Buckingham Fountain. Benefits Friends of the Parks.
Cost: $35, www.lateride.org
July 14: Bastille Day 5K run/walk
This road race is on Bastille Day and benefits Mercy Home for Boys & Girls. Course weaves through the West Loop and ends at a block party, where there’s beer, food and a ’70s cover band. About 2,000 runners are expected.
Cost: $22, www.chicagoevents.com
July 16: Chinatown 5K run
Race through the heart of Chinatown and finish under the archway. The sixth annual race begins at 8 a.m. and is followed by a youth run. Attracts about 500 runners. Cash prizes are awarded.
Cost: $22, www.chinatown5k.com
AUGUST
Aug. 2: Mizuno Cross-Country Series
A cross-country 5K race every Tuesday during August. Every race starts at 7 p.m. in Montrose Harbor. Just like a high school cross-country meet, runners trudge through grass, sand and dirt. Prizes awarded. Very low-key with about 30 to 100 runners. Pizza often ordered afterward. Cost: $5 per race, www.universalsole.com
Aug. 7. Chicago Distance Classic
Half-marathon wheelchair, run or 5K run/walk. Race starts and finishes at Grant Park, starts at 6:55 a.m. and awards cash prizes. About 7,500 participants expected to race; party afterward in park.
Cost: $40 for half-marathon, $25 for 5K. No race-day registration. www.chicagodistanceclassic.com
Aug. 11: Race Judicata 5K run/walk
Race starts at Upper Hutchinson Field at Balbo and Columbus Drives. Postrace party includes a band, free beer, wine and snacks. About 2,500 runners expected. Benefits Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Foundation.
Cost: $30, www.signmeupsports.com
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Edited by Cara DiPasquale (cdipasquale@tribune.com) and Kris Karnopp (kkarnopp@tribune.com)
