April is running season, especially when it means racing along the brilliantly green, flower-lined streets of Atlanta. With cool mornings and warm afternoon sun, the weather's never been better for a little friendly competition on your morning run.
These seven foot races around the Metro take the prize for not-to-miss running events this month. You'll find Fun Runs, 5Ks and 10Ks in the lineup, including a few Peachtree Road Race Qualifiers, so make sure to sign up early to save your spot and ensure you'll get a t-shirt.
Experience the beauty of spring for yourself as you cross the finish line at one of these Atlanta races:
18th Annual Run the River 5K/10K. 7:30 a.m. 10K, 7:45 a.m. 5K. April 6. $15-$40 per racer. St. Andrew Catholic Church. 675 Riverside Road, Roswell. www.active.com.
Strap on your racing shoes, because it's time for the Annual Run the River 5K and 10K. Following the Chattahoochee River, registered racers along this beautiful USATF Certified course will receive a commemorative t-shirt, enjoy music, prizes, food and the opportunity to help homeless families around Georgia through HomeStretch.
Credit: Courtesy of The Color Run
Credit: Courtesy of The Color Run
The Color Run. 8 a.m. April 7. $14.99-$34.99 per racer, free for entry only. Six Flags Over Georgia. 275 Riverside Parkway SW, Austell. www.thecolorrun.com.
Get ready for the brightest race of your life at The Color Run, which takes place in Six Flags Over Georgia April 7th. Come early for a pre-race party that includes music and dancing, warm-up stretching and free giveaways. Registered racers will receive a commemorative t-shirt, a finisher's medal and a head-to-toe dousing of colorful powder throughout the race. A Finish Festival will follow featuring photo opportunities, music, vendors and activities for the whole family. Prepare to get messy at this one, folks!
83rd Annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival Mimosa 5K. 8 a.m. April 13. $15-$35 per racer. Piedmont Park. 400 Park Drive, Atlanta. 404-817-6642. www.dogwood.org.
Join over 1000+ participants for the 83rd Annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival Mimosa 5K at Piedmont Park on April 13th. This Peachtree Road Race Qualifier will take you through the historic streets of Midtown and will finish with a traditional mimosa toast at the park. Registered racers will receive a t-shirt, a mimosa drink for participants over 21 and entry into a raffle for Southwest Airlines tickets.
Run Before You Crawl 5K and Pub Crawl. 9:30 a.m. April 13. $15-$45 per racer/crawler. Zoo Atlanta at Grant Park. 800 Cherokee Ave., Atlanta. www.runbeforeyoucrawl.com.
If you enjoy a nice run as much as a good pub crawl, then you won't want to miss this premier running combo event taking place in Grant Park. Starting at 9:30 a.m., you'll race throughout the Grant Park neighborhood, followed by the Pub Crawl at 11. In its 7th year, proceeds from the Run Before You Crawl 5K and Pub Crawl will benefit the Grant Park Parents Network, the Grant Park Conservancy and the Grant Park Security Patrol.
Great Bunny Chase 5K and Bunny Hop Fun Run. Noon. April 20. $15-$25 per racer. Robin Lake in Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain. 844-512-3826. www.callawaygardens.com.
Hop to the finish line around Callaway Gardens during the Great Bunny Chase 5K and Bunny Hop Fun Run. The family-friendly Bunny Hop Fun Run will begin at noon, featuring 3,000 colorful Easter eggs dropped along the route and the Easter Bunny racing along with the kids. The 5K starts at 12:30 p.m. following a flat, gorgeous path around Robin Lake.
Credit: Courtesy of Happy Ending Productions, LLC
Credit: Courtesy of Happy Ending Productions, LLC
Sweetwater 420 Fest 5K Road Race. 8:30 a.m. April 20. $38-$53 per racer. Starts on Centennial Olympic Park Drive near Andrew Young International Blvd., Atlanta. www.sweetwater420fest.com.
The Sweetwater 420 Fest 5K Road Race takes place along a USATF Certified course right in the heart of Atlanta on April 20th. Registered racers for this Peachtree Road Race Qualifier will receive a commemorative t-shirt, a complementary water, soda or beer (21+) and $5 off a 3-day festival wristband.
Lemonade Days 5K. 8:30 a.m. April 27. $25 per racer. Brook Run Park. 4770 North Peachtree Road,
Dunwoody. 770-668-0401. www.dunwoodylemonadedays.org.
If you're looking for one of the most gorgeous 5K races in April, look no further than the Lemonade Days 5K, which takes place in Brook Run Park April 27th. You'll race across a beautiful park-like setting, through the woods, over bridges and finish at the Lemonade Days Festival pavilion. Registered racers will receive a commemorative t-shirt.
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