By Jaime Walden

Have you noticed more people out and about at local parks or recreation areas lately, Auntie?  It seems the warmer the weather, the more apt we are to get out of the house.  So why not join the party and bring along your nieces and nephews?  There are some great walk/run events for all ages that make it fun to get moving together.

Here are a few fun 5ks to check out:

The Color Run
This is 5K of color running madness.  The Color Run is a one-of-a-kind experience that is all about enjoying a color-crazy day with your nieces and nephews.  You get to start out all clean and white and cross the finish line looking like a rainbow of color madness, having been doused with a dusting of bright hues.  The Color Run team says, “The color is a special “elf made” recipe of magical color dust.  All products are 100% natural and safe.”  This race comes to 30 US cities and there are no age limits.   

Disney Family Fun Run
This fun 5K course starts and finishes at Epcot Center in Walt Disney World.  Imagine the fun you will have with your niece or nephew winding through the sights and sounds of Epcot with an unforgettable finish at the end.  The Disney Family Fun Run is just one of many events available during Walt Disney World’s Marathon Weekend.  The Fun Run is open to all ages and there is even a Stroller Walk Division! 

Firefly Run
This race is sure to capture your nieces and nephews visual attention.  This kid and stroller friendly race illuminates the night with glimmering LED lights, amazing lighted decorations, costume contests, live entertainment and amazing visual effects.  Race with your nieces and nephews through the dusk with other walk/runners lighting up the night to support some great charities.  Also, take this opportunity to encourage creativity as you and your nieces and nephews get your own shine on, since additional lighting decoration is encouraged.  Shine your brightest, Aunties!

Run For Your Lives
Have a bored teen niece or nephew and running out of together time ideas?  This one should get their interest peaked. Run For Your Lives is an apocalyptic 5K obstacle race.  But you’re not just running against the clock, you’re running from the "brain-hungry zombies."  The cool thing about this race is that you can be a runner or you can choose to be a zombie.  If you choose to be a zombie you get to be zombified by professional makeup artists and then chase runners down to take their flags (the flags represent their health) and hinder them from finishing the race.  This race tours in 11 US cities and the virus is spreading!  Minors will need parents/guardians permission to register.  And if your niece or nephew doesn’t want to participate but would love to watch spectators of all ages are encouraged to attend!
If you need additional ideas that are a little closer to home you can check out www.active.com.  This is a great website that allows you to enter your home location and filter by interest, date, type, skill level, event and much more to find that perfect fun run for you and your nieces and nephews.

Walking, jogging or running together can be a fun activity that you can do and you just might get in a little exercise too, but you might want to keep that last part a secret.  If you have a tween or teen niece or nephew you can also take this time to learn more about their day or just find out what’s going on in their world.  You may find that they might open up more than usual during this time, too!

Photo: Photostock
Published: April 10, 2012