Step into spring with runs, walks

Winter has come and gone. Spring has arrived. 

That means it’s time to get outside and enjoy the outdoors. For residents along the U.S. 280 corridor, there are numerous runs and walks to choose from in April. 

Below is a breakdown: 

Walk to End Lupus

The Birmingham Walk to End Lupus will be Sunday, April 7, at Veterans Park. The 1-mile walk, which begins at 3 p.m., will help raise money for lupus research and increase awareness about the disease. 

According to the event website, about 27,000 Alabamians suffer from lupus. Registration is free, but individuals have the option to donate $25 to offset event expenses or set a fundraising goal. 

Race check-in begins at 1 p.m. and will be followed by a pre-race ceremony at 2:45 p.m. For more information, visit lupus.org or contact Tracy Rode at 615-800-8067.

Oak Mountain 50K

The 20th annual Oak Mountain 50K trail race will be Saturday, April 13, at Oak Mountain State Park. The event, which begins at 7:30 a.m., covers nearly 33 miles and features almost 4,000 feet of elevation gain. 

The race starts and finishes at Dogwood Pavilion; cutoff time is nine hours. 

All finishers will receive a commemorative race pub glass, while overall awards will be given to the top three male and female finishers. 

Registration is limited to 150 runners and can be completed on ultrasignup.com through April 7. The cost is $80 and includes access to a post-race cookout.  

Race day packet pickup begins at 6:15 a.m. For more information, visit oakmtn50k.com.

Tranquility Trail Run

The Tranquility Lake Trail Race will be Saturday, April 13, at Oak Mountain State Park. It will feature 3-mile and 6-mile race options that start and end at the Redbug Pavilion on Tranquility Road next to Oak Mountain’s BMX track. 

The course is a 3-mile loop that even novice trail runners will be able to navigate without much difficulty.  The race, which starts at 8 a.m., is the first in the 2019 Southeastern Trail Series. 

Registration for the 3-mile race is $35, while registration for the 6-mile race is $40. Registration can be completed on ultrasignup.com. Those who register by April 1 will receive a commemorative T-shirt.

Packet pickup begins on race day at 6:45 a.m. There will be a post-race celebration with food and drinks. For more information, visit southeasterntrailruns.com.

Kitty Kat Haven 5K Meow-a-thon

Kitty Kat Haven & Rescue, a Hoover-based shelter for cats and kittens, will host its second annual Meow-A-Thon 5K and 1-mile Whisker Walk on Saturday, April 13, at Veterans Park. 

The 5K will start at 9 a.m. and will be followed by the 1 mile at 10:30 a.m. 

Online registration on runsignup.com is open until April 12. The 5K costs $25 or $15 for children 10 and younger. The 1 mile costs $15 or $5 for children 10 and younger. Pre-race packet pickup and registration is April 12-13 at Kitty Hat Haven & Rescue from 1-6 p.m.

Race day registration increases by $5 per race and begins at 8 a.m. 

Prizes will be given to the top three overall male and female finishers, along with the top three in each age group.  

For more information about the host organization, visit kittykathavenrescue.org. 

Diabetes Walk for Camp Seale Harris

The Birmingham Diabetes WALK for Camp Seale Harris will be Sunday, April 14, at Veterans Park. Camp Seale Harris is Alabama’s only camp for children with diabetes.

The free, family friendly event raises diabetes awareness, along with funds to help send kids to camp. It features a 5K and 1-mile walk or run, along with music, healthy snacks, a bounce house, diabetes information and team awards.

Participants can choose to make an individual donation or form a fundraising page. Check-in and registration begin at 1 p.m., while the walk/run starts at 2:30 p.m. 

For more information or to register, visit campsealeharris.org. 

Race to the Lake

The Race to the Lake will be Saturday, April 20, at Oak Mountain State Park. It features a 10-mile trail course that will allow runners to experience almost 2,000 feet of elevation gain. 

The race, hosted by the Birmingham Ultra Trail Society, starts and finishes at the Lakeside Pavilion near the South Trailhead. Start time is 8 a.m.

There will be one unmanned aid station along the course, and the cutoff time is four hours. Race day packet pickup begins at 6:30 a.m. 

Registration costs only $10 and can be completed on ultrasignup.com.