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Whether you walk, jog, or run, being active is important for a healthy lifestyle. And while the New Year is a typical time for people to pick up new habits, it isn’t the only time you can start improving your health. We still have some time before the weather starts to warm up significantly.  Although this is Georgia and South Carolina, we’ve seen some crazy things with our weather!  But Augusta is starting to come alive with more events coming up. If you’ve been walking or running and are looking to participate in some events, keep reading for upcoming races in the Augusta area!

Getting Active

Before starting any new workout routine, it’s always best to talk to your doctor. While being active is important, you want to make sure to take precautions and prepare yourself. As with any activity, there are always risks. But if you can prevent issues or injury, you’ll be able to sustain your new workout routine for a long time.

One of the best pieces of advice for getting active for me? Find something you enjoy.  You don’t have to be a runner to enjoy a healthy lifestyle. Walking has many positive benefits as well. And there are plenty of other options too: swimming, yoga, weight lifting, dancing, and more.  If it’s something you enjoy, you’re more likely to continue with it.

Another good thing to remember… Start slow!  If you’ve never walked more than a mile, don’t set out to run a mile.  It takes time to build up to your goals. Set small goals that lead up to a bigger goal. Again, you don’t want to wind up injured and not able to do anything at all.

Prepping For Races

First of all, you’ve got to find the races you want to walk or run.  And we’ve got some upcoming races in the Augusta area listed below. There are a wide variety of races and distances.  You’ve got fun runs, 5Ks, 10Ks, 10-milers, half marathons, and marathons. There are also themed races. If you like to dress up and really go all in, those can be fun.  But you don’t have to dress up! And another big thing to consider is what cause you might be running for.

Running For A Cause

One of the big things I love about running races is supporting causes that I care about. I’ve done races for a wide variety of causes, including health issues like heart health and breast cancer awareness. And I’ve also done races for things to support families, pets, and sports. When I start looking at races on the calendar, the cause they are supporting plays a role in my decision to run!

Ready To Run? Races In The Augusta Area

Have you got your goal in mind? Are you ready to lace up those running shoes and hit the pavement (or trail)? The good news is, there are quite a few upcoming races in the Augusta area. Here are some coming up over the next couple of months!

  • February 17, 2024: Heart N' Soul

    Location: Mill Village Trailhead, 109 Eve Street, Augusta, GA
    Distance: 5K or 10K

    This race is coming up pretty quickly, but it’s for Mad Hatter Farm in Harlem.  You can learn more about the farm and its mission HERE. The race starts and ends at the Mill Village Trailhead. Most of the route is a dirt path, so be prepared.

    Registration is open until 5 minutes before the race. T-shirts are on a first-come, first-served basis until they are gone. This race is chip-timed, and awards will be given in each age group and top male and female overall.

    Parking is available at The Salvation Army Kroc Center at 1833 Broad Street in Augusta.

  • February 24, 2024: Augusta Half Marathon

    Location: Augusta Common, 836 Reynolds Street, Augusta, GA
    Distance: 
    5K, 10K, or Half Marathon

    This yearly event is coming up in just a few weeks. I have run the 5K on this one at least once.  And I also did the half marathon twice. It’s not the easiest course, but you get to see a lot of beautiful places around downtown Augusta!

    This race benefits the Augusta Sports Council. The event is their primary fundraising event for the annual G.A.M.E.S. Scholarship Fund. This is a scholarship that the ASC awards to selected graduating high school student athletes each May.

    Learn more about the event and get all registration information HERE.

  • March 2, 2024: Heart & Sole 5K

    Location: Children’s Hospital of Georgia, 1446 Harper Street, Augusta, GA
    Distance: 
    5K

    This will be the 18th annual Heart & Sole 5K in downtown Augusta. The event helps raise funds for the Children’s Hospital of Georgia. Funds raised help in the following areas of the hospital:

    • Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
    • Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)
    • Childlife Specialist (including Camp Strong Heart)
    • Pediatric Cardiology
    • General Surgery

    Registration is open now and you can get details HERE.

  • March 2, 2024: 3 Bridges Run

    Location: River Levee Trail, 2 Milledge Road, Augusta, GA
    Distance: 5K and 10K

    This run/walk has two distance options and has been called “Augusta’s most scenic race.” It was also voted the best 5k in Augusta. It takes place on the Augusta Canal National Heritage Area’s River Levee Trail. It is a paved course and crosses three bridges along the route.

    This race benefits the Augusta Canal National Heritage Area to help them maintain and improve trails.

    Get more details and registration information HERE.

  • March 9, 2024: Triple Crown Road Race

    Location: Odell Weeks 1700 Whiskey Road, Aiken, SC
    Distance: 5K, 10-mile race, and 30 mile virtual challenge

    This event includes a 5K, along with a 10-mile race. Both races start and end at Odell Weeks.  There’s also a 30 mile virtual challenge from February 3rd through March 3rd.

    This race benefits the Great Oak Equine Assisted Programs in Aiken. Get details and registration information HERE.

  • March 16, 2024: Run The Runway 5K

    Location: 2116 Lock & Dam Road, Augusta, GA 
    Distance: 5K and Kids Fun Run

    This third annual event is a unique 5K running experience.  It’s also a fundraiser for the Augusta-based nonprofit, America’s Warrior Partnership, an organization that works to prevent veteran suicide.

    Registration is going on now. Sign up before March 1st to secure a race T-shirt. Get more details HERE.

  • March 16, 2024: Run For Ryan 5K

    Location: Lakeside High School, 533 Blue Ridge Drive Evans, GA 
    Distance: 5K

    This is the 4th annual Run for Ryan 5K Run/Walk. This helps fund the Ryan Clark Scholarship.  The scholarship was founded in memory of Ryan Clark who passed away during a heroic act during the Virginia Tech Massacre in 2007. His mom founded the scholarship to honor his life. Three scholarships are given each year. Get more details on the Ryan Clark Scholarship HERE.

    Get registration details HERE.

  • March 30, 2024: Bunny Run 5K

    Location: Julian Smith Gazebo, 3 Milledge Road, Augusta, GA
    Distance: 5K or 10K

    The Bunny Run 5K is a walk/run event to help raise funds and collect items for Friends Of North Augusta Animals. Registration is online and open until 5 minutes before the race. Get details HERE.

    Parking is available along Milledge Road and at the Julian Smith Casino parking lot.

  • March 30, 2024: Aiken Trailblazer

    Location: 117 Stable Drive, Aiken, SC
    Distance: 5K, 10K, 15K, Half Marathon, and Fun Run

    This is a first-time event with multiple race distances. It takes place at Stable View equestrian facility. The course is relatively flat but is a trail run. Learn more about Stable View and get more race details HERE.

  • April 6, 2024: Dashin' Not Trashin'

    Location: Mill Village Trailhead, 109 Eve Street, Augusta, GA
    Distance: 5K or 15K

    This race offers two distance options. Runners will get a wood finisher medal after the race, and they’re asked to bring a gently used, clean race shirt to packet pick up to trade with other runners. And runners are asked to bring their own hydration, as they won’t have cups or plastic bottles, but will have a place for you to refill your hydration.

    This race benefits the Augusta Canal Authority.  Details and registration information HERE.

    Marathon running in the light of evening

    Pavel1964/ Getty Images

     

  • April 27, 2024: Run United

    Location: Odell Weeks 1700 Whiskey Road, Aiken, SC
    Distance: 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, and Kid’s Fun Run

    Run United is an annual event with a 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, and Kid’s Fun Run. I’ve run the Half Marathon twice here. And even though the distance was tough for me, I thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful views throughout the race. Overall, it’s a fairly flat course too. I loved getting to see many parts of Aiken I’d never seen before, and see some horses along the way!

    This race benefits the United Way of Aiken County.

    Registration is going on right now. Dri-fit runner shirts are available for the first 800 runners who register before March 30th. Get more information and sign up HERE.

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