March 21st: Upcoming walking/running/biking events

It's Monday morning and the weather is perfect in SWFL. Time to get some great running and riding events in before the dog days of summer arrive. The Cape Coral Critical Mass ride is Friday night, March 25; the Fort Myers ride rolls out the Friday after that (BOTH with a later start time at 8 p.m. after a gathering time of 7:15 p.m.); both are family-friendly slow rolls just perfect for this time of year.

Upcoming events

Edison Lights 5K (News-Press photo)

Running/walking:
   Saturday, March 26: Eggs and Ears 5K and Fun Run. Starts at 8 a.m. at Lakes Park, Fort Myers. (3dracinginc.com)
   Saturday, April 2: 2nd Annual Run for a Cure. Lakes Park, Fort Myers, to benefit the Fort Myers Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society. (3dracinginc.com)          
   Saturday, April 9: 6th annual The Fast and the Furriest 5K, Hammond Stadium, Fort Myers. (3dracinginc.com)          
   Saturday, April 9: Artis-Naples 10K Run For Music, to benefit the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra and its youth music education programs. (gcrunner.org)   
   Sunday, April 10: Paradise Coast Half Marathon and 5K. (www.naplesmarathon.com)
   Friday, April 15: Beach Bums 5K, on the beach at 6:30 p.m. at Lowdermilk Park, Naples. (gcrunner.org)
   Sunday, May 1: Tropicool 5K, 7:30 a.m. in Olde Naples. (gcrunner.org)
   Saturday, May 9: 11th annual Lover Key Turtle Trot 5K. 8 a.m., to support the Friend of Lovers Key. (www.ftmyerstrackclub.com)

Cycling:

2016 Royal Palm Classic (photo: Letourneau)

   Friday, March 25: Cape Coral Critical Mass ride. Gather beginning at 7:45 p.m. for a 8:00 roll-out for a family-friendly ride through the Cape. Lights required, helmets recommended.
   Saturday, March 26: 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.
   Friday, April 1: SW Florida Critical Mass ride. 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 7:15 p.m. for a 8:00 p.m. roll-out) at First Street Village, 2160 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers. (twitter.com/swflcm)

SWFL Critical Mass ride

   Saturday, April 2: Pedal and Play in Paradise, offering ride distances of 62, 30, 15 and a mystery ride (all supported), plus free events Friday afternoon if you register for the Saturday ridge. It all starts in historic Punta Gorda.(http://pedalandplayinparadise.com)

Triathlons:
   None scheduled locally, check trifind.com or active.com for events statewide.