Baby We Were Born to Run: Upcoming Area Races

The more science reveals about cardiovascular exercise, the better it looks. Running, its original, and still most popular, iteration, seems a near panacea for all that ails the modern man. Disease: down. Energy: up. Concentration: sharper. The checklist goes on.

So as the warm months roll in, here’s our best advice: strap on some smart footwear, pick a direction, and start moving. In fact, we’ll do you one better. We've compiled some local races coming up, in Chester County and beyond, where you can get started.

In the most local event, on June 7, the SEI Cares Fund is hosting its fifth annual Rush Hour 5K Run. The race starts at 100 Cedar Mill Road in Oaks and runners can register here.

Below are some other races happening across the region, including 5Ks for dogs, races for moms and daughters, and a half-marathon for the "odd" among us:

Saturday, May 5

Philly Challenge; adventure run through the city; 1 p.m. start time; Philadelphia; $30-50

Sunday, May 6

Cynwyd 5K; 5k and 1-mile walk; Noon; Barmouth Trailhead, Leavering Mill Road near Belmont Avenue; $25 

Saturday, May 12

Dog Jog 5K; 5K and 1 mile run/walk; 9 a.m. start time; Exton (Downingtown East High School); $18-20

Broad Street ReRun; 5-mile run; 9 a.m. start time; Lansdale; $25

Stateline Loop 9K/5K Trail Run; 9 a.m. start time; Kennett Square, $25; benefits the Land Conservancy of Southern Chester County

Sunday, May 13

5K for Mother's Day; women-only 5K; 2 p.m. start time; West Chester; $25-35

Saturday, May 19

Dragonfly Run; 5K; 9 a.m. start time; Malvern; $25-30; benefits children with autism

Kennett Run, 10K, 5K, power lifting competition, 9 a.m. start time for 10K; Kennett Square, $25-30

Nick Smiles 5K; 9 a.m. start time; West Chester; $25-30; benefits Bishop Shanahan's fine arts program

Hill Top 5K; 5K run/walk, 1-mile fun run; 8 a.m. $20; Hill Top Preparatory School, Rosemont

Sunday, May 20

Dirty German Endurance Fest; 25K, 50K, 50-mile races; 8 a.m. start time, Philadelphia, $55-80

Radnor ABC 5K run; 5k run, 1-mile fun walk; 9 a.m.; $20; Radnor Middle School, Wayne

Saturday, May 26

ODDyssey Half Marathon; 7 a.m. start time; Philadelphia; $65-75

Hat tips to RunningintheUSA.com, RunTheDay.com and Bryn Mawr Running Co. for race information.