Running opportunities abound as spring arrives

This month, the last few weeks of winter will slip by and spring will finally arrive. And after an exceptionally cold winter, anyone ready to get outside and warm up can find several options in the 280 area. 

For individuals hoping to get active this spring, 280 Living prepared this round-up of runs and walks taking place in March.

Judy M. Merritt Memorial 5K run and walk

► When: March 3 at 8 a.m.

► Where: Veterans Park

► What: Jefferson State’s fourth annual Judy M. Merritt Memorial 5K run and walk is returning this year on March 3.

The day, which includes a 5K run, 1-mile fun walk, virtual/sleep-in option and family fun day, will kick off at 8 a.m. with the 5K race. The 5K starts in Veterans Park, loops around the lake, continues through the trail behind Jefferson State’s Shelby-Hoover Campus and comes back into Veterans Park.

At 9 a.m., those participating in the one-mile fun walk will start, and the day will culminate in a family fun day from 10 a.m. to noon.

Activities planned for the family fun day, which is free to attend, are food and drinks, field day activities, glitter tattoos, cotton candy, a bounce slide and music from a DJ.

Entry fees for the 5K and 1-mile fun walk are $25, or $20 for students. The virtual option — for those who can’t make it to the race but would like a T-shirt — is $20. 

Following the 5K, awards will be given to first, second and third place male and female runners, as well as the top runners in theirage bracket.

For more information, go to jeffersonstate.edu/5K.

Oak Mountain Color Run

► When: March 17 at 8 a.m.

► Where: Oak Mountain State Park

► What: This year’s Oak Mountain Color Run will take place at Oak Mountain State Park on March 17.

The run, which was started in 2013 by Oak Mountain High School students Mollie Shealy and Mandy Kelly, raises money for cancer research at UAB in honor of Shealy and Kelly’s grandparents. Even after the two students graduated, fellow members of the OMHS Student Government Association continued the race.

Day-of registration starts at 8 a.m., and the 5K is set for 9 a.m. A fun run will immediately follow the 5K. The 5K route starts at the Dogwood Pavilion and loops around OMSP’s Double Oak Lake, and runners will be splatted with non-toxic, washable colored powder throughout the race. Because this year’s race is on St. Patrick’s Day, SGA sponsor John Milton said runners can “expect it to get green.”

This year, students hope to raise $20,000 for the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center, Milton said.

“This is a family-friendly, community event. We are not a huge organization that travels the country,” Milton said. “This is hosted by the kids in your neighborhood.”

The cost is $25 per person, or $20 per person for a group of six to 10 runners. There is also a park entrance fee of $5 per adult and $2 per child or senior.

For more information, go to oakmountaincolorrun.com or email John Milton at jmilton@shelbyed.org.

Aubie 5K and 1-mile fun run

► When: March 31 at 8 a.m.

► Where: Veterans Park

► What: The Greater Birmingham Auburn Club’s Aubie 5K will return to Veterans Park at the end of the month. On March 31, runners will gather to celebrate Auburn and raise money for one of GBAC’s several scholarships.

The Greater Birmingham Auburn Club offers eight scholarships, said race chair Michael Lovett, and the money raised will go toward the scholarships. All scholarships are awarded to Jefferson and Shelby county students who meet the criteria for specific scholarships.

In years’ past, the Aubie 5K at Veterans Park has been in honor of Meredith LeAnn Maddox, a former Hoover High School coach an the daughter of a GBAC board member. Due to scheduling conflicts, this year’s race will not be in Maddox’s honor, Lovett said, but another Auburn affiliate is set to be honored. As of press time, that individual had not been selected. 

The race will start at 8 a.m., and in addition to the race, there will be family-friendly activities set up at the park, including balloons, a moonwalk and other items. The cost is $35 before March 16 or $40 on March 16 for the 5K, $20 for the fun run and $25 for a sleep-in option.

For more information about this year’s event, go to thegbac.org or email Lovett at michael.lovett@yahoo.com.