10 Coolest Fitness Events in Philly This Month: August 2015

Yup, the Mummers made a major appearance at the first ever Philly 10K. | Photo by Matt Stanley

Every year, when August rolls around, I find myself walking around the deserted streets of Philly wondering where the heck everyone is. The answer? Down the Shore, of course. But this year, it looks like there are a few fitness events worth staying in town for. Check ’em out below.

1. Yoga in the Cemetery at St. Peter’s Church
When: Saturday, August 1st at 10 a.m.
Where: 313 Pine Street, Queen Village.

First there was Yoga in Laurel Hill Cemetery, and now there’s this: an hourlong yoga class with Justine Bacon in the graveyard at St. Peter’s Church. The donation-based class — donations accepted in the form of canned goods or money — comes complete with live music and benefits St. Peter’s Food Cupboard. And we hear, if this one goes well, they’re hoping to make these pop-up cemetery classes a bit more regular. Donations accepted.

2. The Philly 10K
When: Sunday, August 30th at 7:30 a.m.
Where: Starts at 8th and South Streets.

Whether you’re pounding the pavement in the second year of this race or just cheering runners on from the sidelines, this celebration of all things Philly — The neighborhoods! The food! The people! — is not to be missed. This year’s big finish-line party will shut down a portion of South Street (doesn’t get much more Philly than that) and runners will refuel with Shake Shack custard and plenty of beer. And don’t forget: Our next pop-up training run — this time to the PHS pop-up beer garden at 9th and Wharton — is August 3rd!

3. PHL Distance Walkers’ Silent Meditation Walk
When: Saturday, August 1st at 9 a.m.
Where: Leaves from Lloyd Hall, 1 Boathouse Row, Art Museum Area.

If you rarely have the opportunity to turn your mind off and just walk, here is your chance: PHL Distance Walkers is hosting a four-mile silent meditation walk where, instead of chatting, you’ll walk in silence — no headphones or cell phones allowed — along the Schuylkill, up through Boxer’s Trail and back. Serenity, here you come! Free.

4. The Philadelphia Mayor’s Cup
When: Saturday, August 8th starting at 7:30 a.m.
Where: Belmont Plateau, West Fairmount Park.

Get ready to have some serious flashbacks to your high school cross-country days: At this event, running clubs from all around Philly will gather at Belmont Plateau to compete in the first-ever Philadelphia Mayor’s Cup, a cross-country-style five-race event through Fairmount Park. Like a cross-country meet, the clubs will be competing for the championship title — and some serious bragging rights.

5. Body Cycle Studio’s 2nd Annual Scavenger Hunt 
When: Thursday, August 20th at 5:45 p.m.
Where: Starts at Body Cycle Studio, 1923 Chestnut Street.

This is no ordinary Spin class: At this annual scavenger hunt, first you’ll warm up with 15 minutes on a bike at the studio, then you’ll be given your your first clue, which will take you and your team somewhere around the city — think: a local spot for a quick drink or snack, somewhere to do a short workout, etc. — and the goal is to make it through all the clues and get back to the studio as fast as you can. And we hear the prize for the winning team is pretttttty sweet. They’re are only 35 spots available, so if you’re interested, you’re going to want to register, stat. $25.

6. Cycle for Life Ride
When: Sunday, August 16th at 8:15 a.m.
Where: Conshohocken Brewing Company, 739 East Elm Street, Conshohocken.

For this ride, which benefits the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, cyclists have their pick of a 20, 34 or 65-mile rides, all of which end at Conshohocken Brewing Company with beer and plenty of grub. $45.

7. Be Well Philly’s Summer Yoga Flow
When: Every Tuesday through August 25th.
Where: Comcast Center Outdoor Plaza, 1701 JFK Boulevard, Center City.

Summer has flown by and, upon realizing it is almost August (what the whaaat?), I’ve begun to panic at how I’m going to squeeze in all the outdoor Savasanas I can. If you’re in the same boat, one guaranteed weekly Savasana spent staring up at the clouds is our free yoga series with DIG Yoga. Pssst: A little birdie tells me there might just be a Beyoncé-themed class coming up this month. Free.

8. The Brew Mile
When: Friday, August 7th at 7 p.m.
Where: XFINITY Live! 1100 Pattinson Avenue, South Philly.

If you’ve never run a typical beer mile, here’s the gist: You chug a beer, run a quarter mile, chug a beer, run a quarter mile, chug a beer, run a quarter mile — and, well, you get the point. And this Brew Mile is basically a beer mile on steroids. Think: Way more beer at the finish line, live music, and more. $65.

9. Perk Up Half Marathon 
When: Sunday, August 16th, at 8 a.m.
Where: The Perkiomen School, 200 Seminary Street, Pennsburg.

If you are a fan of hilly runs, this half marathon is for you: It’ll take you over lots of hills and through plenty of beautiful rural scenery, too. Proceeds go to the Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Hemophilia Foundation. $70.

10. CoreFitness’ First Annual Bike Week
When: Sunday, August 2nd through Saturday, August 8th
Where: Various locations.

CoreFitness is hosting their very first annual Bike Week and it sounds awesome: It’ll kick off with a group ride from Lloyd Hall to Valley Green Inn on the 2nd, then they’ll have ride-your-bike-to-boot-camp day on the 3rd (if you do, your class is free), and more events as the week goes on. See the full schedule here.

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