March 16th: Upcoming running/walking/biking events

Next Sunday (3/22) is the Royal Palm Classic, sponsored by the Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club.  Come join the great ride, the beer at award-winning Fort Myers Brewing Company (and food!), a chance to share your thoughts with the News-Press team behind the year-long "Share the Road Florida" campaign, and good old camaraderie with your cycling friends.  See you there!

Upcoming events 

Running/walking:

·         Saturday, March 21: Lehigh Spring Festival Race in the Park 5K. Veteran’s Park, 55 Homestead Road South, Lehigh Acres. (www.fortmyerstrackclub.com)

·         Saturday, March 28: The Chocolate Fantasia 7K Night Run, 117 Herald Court, Punta Gorda. Race starts at 8:30 p.m. and course includes the city waterfront. Benefits 1-2-3 Runners Inc. and The Tender Hearts Partnership. (www.active.com)

·         Saturday, March 28: Lipman’s Run for Backpacks, 5K and Junior Fun Run. Kickoff for the Celebrate Immokalee festivities, starts at 165 Airpark Blvd., Immokalee. Registration opens 6:30 a.m., 5K starts at 8 a.m. (www.lipmanproduce.com)

·         Saturday, April 4: 9^th annual Harbour Heights 5K, and a new half-marathon. Harbour Heights Park • 27420 Voyageur Dr Punta Gorda. Proceeds benefit  Autism Speaks and local facilities. (www.active.com)

·         Saturday, April 11: African Aid 5K, to support World Vision. New Hope Presbyterian Church,  3825 McGregor Blvd. Race starts at 7:30 a.m. (www.fortmyerstrackclub.com)

·         Saturday, April 18: Verot Viking 5K paint run/walk. Bishop Verot Catholic High School. Registration 6:30 a.m., run 7:30 a.m. (www.fortmyerstrackclub.com)

·         Saturday, April 18: The Fast and the Furriest 5K Run & 1 Mile Walk, Hammond Stadium, Fort Myers. Support the Gulf Coast Humane Society. Registration with and without dogs. Race starts at 8:05 a.m. (www.active.com)

·         Saturday, May 9: 10^th annual Turtle Trot 5K at Lovers Key, to support The Friends of Lovers Key, Inc. Trail course on shell paths (no sand). Registration 7 a.m. (www.fortmyerstrackclub.com)

Cycling and other events:

·         Saturday, March 21: 7^th annual Miracle Limbs ride, to benefit Miracle Limbs- Courage in Motion. 10-, 28-, 42- and 62-mile rides starting from north Collier Regional Park, Naples. Includes breakfast and lunch, registration opens at 6:30 a.m. and first ride starts at 7:30 a.m. (www.miraclelimbs.org)

·         Sunday, March 22: 17^th annual Royal Palm Classic. Starts/ends at Fort Myers Brewing Company, 12811 Commerce Lakes Dr, Suite 27-28, Fort Myers. Ride starts at 8 a.m., 62-, 30- and 15-mile distances. (www.royalpalmclassic.org or www.caloosariders.org)

·         Saturday, March 28: Pedal and Play, Punta Gorda. 62-, 30-, 15- and 10-mile rides, plus a City Manager’s History Tour. Includes breakfast and lunch, rest stops for the longer rides. Register and info online at www.facebook.com/PedalAndPlay or http://pedalandplayinparadise.com/.

·         Friday, April 3: Critical Mass Ride: Family fun slow ride through Fort Myers. Front & rear bike lights required. Grab your helmet, bring all your friends and meet in open field next to Publix at First Street Village, 2160 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers, FL. (www.SWFLCM.com)

·         Sunday, April 12: Everglades Ride. 16- and 62-mile smooth rides, 27-mile bumpy (off-road) ride. Benefits Friends of Fakahatchee and the River of Grass Greenway. (http://raceroster.com/events/2015/4895/everglades-ride)

·         Sunday, April 12: Southwest Florida Tour de Cure for the American Diabetes Association.  Distances are 10, 35, 62 and 100 miles; registration $25 and fund-raising minimum $200. 8131 Lakewood Main Street, Lakewood Ranch, FL. (http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR/TourdeCure/TourAdmin?pg=entry&fr_id=10181)

·         Sunday, April 19: Immokalee Ride for Literacy, 15-, 30-, 45- and 62-mile rides starting at 8 a.m. Proceeds benefit The Family Literacy Academy of Immokalee. (www.caloosariders.org)

·         Friday, May 1: Critical Mass Ride: Join our May Day family fun slow ride through Fort Myers. Front & rear bike lights required. Grab your helmet, bring all your friends and meet in open field next to Publix at First Street Village, 2160 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers, FL. (www.SWFLCM.com)

·         Wednesday, May 20: Ride of Silence, to honor cyclists killed or injured while cycling on public roadways. Leaves at 7 p.m. from Centennial Park, 2000 West First Street, Fort Myers. Riders are requested to wear black armbands, or red if they have personally been injured in a cycling vs. motor vehicle accident. Free, no registration necessary.