Media's Best 5K's, Fun Runs, and Walks for Good Causes

Summer maybe over and the need to worry about your beach bod is a thing of the past, but that doesn't mean it's time to hang up those running shoes.

Throughout October and November the Media area has some great 5K's, Fun Runs, and a few walks that can keep you active and plus most of them are for a good cause. Support local causes like who are raising funds to help patients with dementia or raise money for Great Guys, a Philadelphia-based group that assists cancer patients and their families. For more adventurous runners there is also the Mud Stain Run through a treacherous obstacle course built in part by Mother Nature.

No matter your running speed or endurance there is a run or walk out there for you so lace up your sneakers and get active.

Williamson School 5K

• Date: Sunday, Oct. 9
• Registration Fee: 5K—$25 until Oct. 5, $30 Day of, 1-mile walk $15
• Registration Time/Packet Pickup: Oct. 8 TBD, Oct. 9, 7:30-8:30 a.m.
• Race Start Time: 5K- 9 a.m., 1-Mile Walk 10 a.m.

The course can be run in increments of one, two, or three miles through the rolling hills of the Campus. The paths will be mainly paved, but there will be brief grass sections. Proceeds from the run will help support the Williamson Free School Alumni Association. The school provides free education in trade fields such as carpentry, masonry, and electrical work. Prizes will be given out to the top three males and females in specific age groups. All participants will receive a race T-shirt. 

Women's Distance Festival 5K Run/Walk                                   

• Date: Saturday, Oct. 15                 
• Registration Fee: $20, $15 for ages 18 and under                      
• Registration Time:  9 a.m.                                  
• Race Start Time: 10:00 a.m.                                                      

This cross-country style 5K takes you through the grassy hills of In its 32nd year, the event celebrates the women's running at any age. The organization, Road Runners Club of America created the Women's Distance Festival in 1979 to raise awareness for the lack of long distance running events in the Olympic games. The run will benefit Philly Girls in Motion, which motivated young women to live healthy, active lifestyles. Men may enter to run, but only women are elidgible for prize placement.

Ruby 5K Run & Walk Benefiting Cancer Patients Through Great Guys Group

• Date: Saturday, Oct. 22
• Registration Fee: $25 for adults, $15 for children (walk or run)
• Registration Time: 8:00-8:45 a.m.
• Race Start Time: 5K starts at 9:00 a.m., 1-Mile Fun Walk starts at 9:20 a.m.

Proceeds for the event will go to the Great Guys Group who supports families with a cancer patient financially and emotionally. The 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run will take walkers and runners through If you are unable to make the event, you can still donate through their website.

Penn State Day 5K and 1-Mile Walk

• Date: Saturday, Oct. 22
• Registration Fee: Online $25 (Online registration ends Oct. 17),  race day $30
• Registration Time: 9 a.m.
• Race Start Time: 5K starts at 10 a.m., Walk starts at 10:10 a.m.

This run is part of Penn State Day. Families can stay after the run to participate in the festivities, which include games, pumpkin painting, and a pie-eating contest. Proceeds from the run will go to the Delaware County Alumni Chapter’s Scholarship for Brandywine students and the Penn State Brandywine Alumni Society Scholarship. The run takes place on the campus.

2011 Martins RUN Intergenerational 5K

• Date: Sunday, Oct. 23
• Registration Fee: Pre-Registration: Individual $25, Kids’ Race $10, Family of Racers (up to 2 adults and 4 children under age 18) $60, Senior Stroll $10, Student (to 18) with ID $10. Note: All fees increase by $5 on race day.
• Registration Time: 7:30 a.m.
• Race Start Time: Kids' race starts at 8:30 a.m., 5K starts at 9 a.m.

This run takes place on the campus of is a local non-profit senior living community, the proceeds of the run will go towards helping Martin's Run provide care for patients. NBC's Doug Shimell will serve as honorary Race Chair.

Media Mud Stain

• Date: Sunday, Nov. 13
• Registration Fee: 5 mile - $25 until 11/11, $40 on Race Day,                                       10 mile -  $30 until 11/11, $40 Race Day
• Registration Time: 8:30- 9:30 a.m.
• Race Start Time: 10 a.m.

Runners start out at Picnic Area #14 and #15.  This wild and woody obstacle course runs through dried creeks beds, mud, rocky areas, and just a little pavement for a break. Runners can choose between five or 10 miles, but each path will be challenging. Prizes will be awarded to the top three male or female runners within their age groups.