Love My Mom 5K

Honor and celebrate moms on May 7 along a flat 5K course that’s closed to traffic, making it perfect for everyone in the family— runners, walkers or stroller striders. The race starts at Whole Foods Market and moves onto roads circling the Palladio, continues on the shopping center’s interior streets and finishes back at Whole Foods. A 5K event (3.1 miles) is an achievable distance for families with young kids, a great meet-up opportunity for friends, and a motivator for runners in training. Participants will be electronically timed, and a special award will be presented to the top male and female finishers. All participants will receive a custom dry-fit T-shirt and “special finisher’s” medal to commemorate their effort. Post-race festivities include vendor booths, DJ music, light refreshments and more. For more info and to register, visit folsom.ca.us.

Folsom’s Run with Nature

This year’s 33rd annual Run with Nature on May 14 will feature many “firsts,” including a new location, new run and walk courses, and a commemorative finisher’s medal for all participants. What haven’t changed are the elements that make this event a favorite annual tradition: beautiful scenery, a family-friendly format and post-race festivities (music, refreshments and vendor booths). 

Races take place in the Alder Creek Preserve in Folsom Ranch, which designates more than 400 acres of contiguous oak woodland and natural resources and provides a spectacular setting for the day. Course options include a 5K fitness trail walk, 5K and 10K competitive trail runs, and a youth half-mile trail run. The 5K and 10K events are chip-timed, and each course consists entirely of unpaved dirt trails. Due to the rugged terrain, strollers are highly discouraged; dogs are not allowed either, due to the sensitive environment of the preserve. The top male and female 5K and 10K run finishers will each receive an award. For more info and to register, visit folsomrunwithnature.com.

 — Lesley Miller

For more information about Folsom Parks and Recreation, including upcoming events and activities, visit folsom.ca.us or call 916-355-7285. Love My Mom 5K photo courtesy of Folsom Parks and Recreation. Run with Nature photo courtesy of Folsom Ranch.