Dec. 21st: Upcoming running/walking/biking/tri events

Happy Holidays!  Don't forget you have two Critical Mass rides to choose from...the traditional Fort Myers fun ride (on Friday Jan. 1, rolling out at 7:15 p.m.) or the new Cape Coral ride (just as fun and family friendly, this month on Saturday, Dec. 26th, also at 7:15 p.m.)

Upcoming events

Running/walking:

·        Friday, Jan. 1: Dave Cranor 5K New Year’s Day. Lowdermilk Park, Naples. Cool off afterwards with Big Dave’s Polar Plunge (no wetsuits). (gcrunner.org)

·         Saturday, Jan. 9: Facial Hair for Cancer Causes 5K run/walk, starts 8 a.m. Tara Woods, 19376 U.S. 41, North Fort Myers. (3dracinginc.com)

·         Sunday, Jan. 10: 13th annual River, Roots & Ruts Trail Run, Caloosahatchee Regional Park, Alva. Half marathon and relay starts 8 a.m., 5K fun run 8:15 a.m. (www.ftmyerstrackclub.com)

·         Saturday, Jan 16: Tour de Cape 5K run/walk, Starts at 8 a.m. at Cape Harbour. (tourdecape.net)

·         Sunday, Jan. 17: Naples Daily News Half Marathon, Fifth Avenue South, Naples. (gcrunner.org)

·         Saturday, Jan. 30: Runs For The Paws, to support the Naples Humane Society. Scenic course around Naples Municipal Airport. (gcrunners.org)    
      Saturday, Jan. 30: 8^th annual Hands Across The Harbor half-marathon and 5K (run), 13.1/20/30 mile bike and 13.1 mile longboard race. Starts and ends at Bayshore Live Oak Park, Port Charlotte with a course over the Peace River and downtown Punta Gorda. (www.handsacrosstheharbor.com)
      Sunday, Feb. 14: Paradise Coast Marathon, Half and 5K. Starts and ends at Florida Sports Park, Naples. (www.naplesmarathon.com)   

         Saturday, Feb. 20: Edison Festival of Light 5K, downtown Fort Myers. Starts at 5:45 p.m. with thousands of spectators to cheer you on. (www.ftmyerstrackclub.com)
      Sunday, March 6: Hooters Half Marathon and 2-Person Relay. Starts and finishes at Hooters in Fort Myers. Benefits Barbara’s Friend and Moffitt Cancer Center. 7 a.m. start. (www.hootershalfmarathon.com)

Cycling:
Saturday, Dec. 26.  Fort Myers Critical Mass starts its new monthly (last Saturday of every month) starter/sightseeing ride in Fort Myers.  Gather at 9 a.m., roll 9:15 a.m. from 2160 McGregor Blvd.  Distance is 6 miles, including group ride instruction.

·         Saturday, Dec. 26: Cape Coral Critical Mass ride. Gather beginning at 6:45 p.m. for a 7:15 roll-out for a family-friendly ride through the Cape. Lights required, helmets recommended.

·         Friday, Jan. 1 SWFL Critical Mass ride. Greet the New Year and join a family-friendly slow ride through Fort Myers. Front and rear bike lights required. Grab your helmet, bring all your friends and meet in the open field next to Publix (beginning at 6:45 p.m. for a 7:15 roll-out) at First Street Village, 2160 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers. (twitter.com/swflcm)  
      Sunday, Jan. 17: 25^th annual Tour de Cape, with 15-, 30-, 60- and 100-mile rides. Rides start from Cape Harbour at 8 a.m. (two longer distances) and 8:30 a.m. (two shorter distances) with full support and more. (tourdecape.net)

·       Friday, Jan. 29: Cape Coral Critical Mass ride. Gather beginning at 6:45 p.m. for a 7:15 roll-out for a family-friendly ride through the Cape. Lights required, helmets recommended.

·         Saturday, Jan. 30: SW Florida Critical Mass will offer a starter/sightseeing ride on Saturday; gather at 9 a.m., roll at 9:15 a.m. from 2160 McGregor Blvd. Distance is 6 miles, includes group ride instruction.

       Sunday, March 13: Annual Everglades Ride: 16 or 62 miles if you stay on the pavement, 27 miles if you don’t (options to adjust distance with all choices).Started from McLeod Park in Everglades City, benefits Friends of River of Grass Greenway and Friends of Fakahatchee. (http://www.caamevents.com/event/everglades-ride/).

·       

Triathlons: 
Saturday-Sunday, Jan. 9-10: 2016 HITS Naples Triathlon Weekend. Vanderbilt Beach. Full and half Ironman, Olympic, sprint and open triathlons. (http://hitstriathlonseries.com/naples-f/maps)