10 Coolest Fitness and Foodie Events in Philly This Month: May 2015
Bike to Work Day | Photo via Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia/Facebook
Spring is in full swing this month with plenty of outdoor fitness opportunities — and indoor ones for the foodies amongst us — to keep you moving and grooving. Our picks, below.
1. Blue Cross Broad Street Run
When: Sunday, May 3rd at 8 a.m.
Where: Race begins at Central High School Athletic Field at Broad Street and Somerville Avenue.
Yes, I know — the Broad Street Run has been sold out for months. But that shouldn’t stop you from marking it on your calendar and heading out to cheer on 40,000 intrepid runners as they make their way from North Philly to the Navy Yard. We would encourage you to take your spectator-dom one step further by coming up with a clever sign or two. Check this out for inspiration.
2. Yoga on the Steps
When: Sunday, May 17th from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Where: Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Fairmount.
This feel-good day of yoga, which involves a massive outdoor class on the Art Museum steps, benefits Bala Cynwyd-based Living Beyond Breast Cancer. The yoga class, which runs from 9:30 to 10:45, is geared toward all levels, but you need to bring your own mat. In addition to the class, there is a Healthy Living Expo with vendors and sponsors handing out swag and freebies. It’s $20 to register through May 15th, when online registration closes. It’s $40 to register at the event.
3. Bike to Work Day
When: Friday, May 15th.
Where: Wherever you are!
Bike to Work Day is back this month, and the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia has lots of fun in store for local bike commuters. They’ll be manning a few Energizing Stations around town, where you can cruise by for free coffee and snacks; organizing a slow ride through city streets with Mayor Michael Nutter; and hosting a post-work happy hour at Yards Brewing Company, where they will hand out the first ever Bike to Work Day Awards. You can register (for free) here to receive more info.
4. The Chicken Run
When: Saturday, May 30th at 5 p.m.
Where: Meet at Philadelphia Brewing Company, 2440 Frankford Avenue, Kensington.
The Fishtown Beer Runners are bringing back their popular Chicken Run for a fifth year. You’ll start at Philadelphia Brewing Company and set out on a five(ish)-mile run to American Sardine Bar. The $35 fee for the event includes a t-shirt, three Philadelphia Brewing Company beers and — you guessed it — fried chicken. Register by calling American Sardine Bar or do it online here.
5. All About Your Liver Cooking Class
When: Sunday, May 3rd from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Where: The Restaurant School, 4100 Walnut Street, West Philly.
Your poor, overworked liver could use some TLC every once in awhile. This cooking class, with healthy eating advocate and cookbook author Christina Pirello, will feature ingredients and dishes designed to nurture the liver. It’s $30 to participate.
6. Twilight Yoga at Franklin Square Pavilion
When: Wednesday, May 6th from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Where: Franklin Square, 6th and Race streets.
This evening vinyasa yoga session takes place in pretty Franklin Square. It’s suitable for all levels, but you’ll need to bring your own mat. It’s $15 to participate; register here.
7. Inaugural Weston Fitness H.I.I.T. Run
When: Saturday, May 2nd at 9 a.m.
Where: Meet at Weston Fitness, 1835 Market Street, second floor, Center City.
This Center City gym is kicking off a series of Saturday morning runs that marry cardio and strength training. Here’s how it works: Over the course of the 75-minute workout, you’ll tackle a two-mile out-and-back run to the Art Museum, with strength circuits along the way. The run ends back at Weston, where you’ll do a 10-minute ab circuit and five-minute cool down stretch. It’s $20 per class to participate, but your first session is free — which means, since this is the inaugural H.I.I.T. Run, it’ll be free for everyone who comes out.
8. Media and Manayunk Mile
When: Saturday, May 9th at 9 a.m., and Saturday, May 16th at 8:30 a.m.
Where: Media (May 9th) and Manayunk (May 16th).
These inaugural events of the 5280 Race Series are chip-timed, one-mile road races through both downtown centers. The series was created as a fundraising opportunity for the nonprofit Healthy Kids Running Series, an organization that encourages kids to get active through a positive introduction to running. The Manayunk race coincides with the neighborhood’s PLAY festival, so at the finish line you’ll find live performances and a day full of outdoor recreation activities, like kayaking, dragonboating, fishing, hiking and biking. It’s $25 to participate.
9. Full and Happy’s First Birthday
When: Tuesday, May 5th from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m.
Where: Fairmount. (Exact address sent when you RSVP.)
Get to know the folks behind the Yogi’s Table dinner-and-yoga series at this open house-style party celebrating the business’s first birthday. The food will be Cinco de Mayo themed (because, duh), and you can BYOB (though, a celebratory cocktail will likely be included). It’s $25.
10. Boot Camp/Zumbathon Fundraiser
When: Saturday, May 9th from noon to 4 p.m.
Where: CrossFit PHL, 1414 Darien Street, South Philly.
A group of local trainers and fitness instructors are getting together to help raise money for a young girl named Vienna, who was recently diagnosed with Leukemia. They’re running two fitness classes — boot camp from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. and a Zumbathon from 2 to 4 — and offering raffles to raise funds for Vienna’s care. It’s a $20 minimum donation.
Like what you’re reading? Stay in touch with Be Well Philly—here’s how:
- Like Be Well Philly on Facebook
- Follow Be Well Philly on Twitter
- Follow Be Well Philly on Pinterest
- Get the Be Well Philly Newsletter
