Get outside, get moving and have a lot of fun

As promised, here is the balance of “Fun, Run, and Bike Events” for 2018 that I was able to identify. These events are by no means a complete list of new events that pop up every week.

I have been publishing a relatively complete list of late spring, summer and fall races for the last eight years. Most of these events range from fun runs, triathlons, bike rides and other community or competitive activities. There are a few different ways to participate in these events:

1. Get out and swim, ride, run or walk for your health.

2. Be a volunteer as most of these events never have enough people to help pull them off safely and in style without some help.

3. Become a cheer squad for the people you know and love. Show up as a spectator and cheer everyone on to make these events fun and exciting!

As usual, I have added asterisks to the events that are great for sedentary first-timers and people looking for more fun rather than competitive racing. There will be plenty of room for those whose nature and athletic ability will allow them to break their records if that is their goal.

For the fun runs and kid races, no event is too hard and walking is always an option, so don’t ever think these races are only for those seasoned athletes, young or old.

Here is the most current list of races through to fall 2018. The calendar below does not represent all the events and activities, just the ones easily accessed or announced.

May 5: Spartan Beast 12 Plus Mile Mud & Obstacle Run, Big Fork, MT

May 6: Spartan Sprint 5 Plus Mile Mud & Obstacle Run, Big Fork, MT

* May 6: 42nd annual Bloomsday 12K, Spokane, Wash.

* May 11: Glow for Hunger Night Kids 1 Mile Run, Joe Albi Stadium, Spokane, Wash.

May 11-12: 2018 NorthWest Paddle Festival, Lake Sammamish, Wash.

May 12: Priest Lake Marathon, 50K, Half & * 5K Fun Run, Hills Resort, Priest Lake, Idaho.

* May 19: America’s Armed Forces Kid’s Run, Spokane, Wash.

May 19: State Park Series-Farragut State Park, Half Marathon & 5 Mile, Athol, Idaho.

May 20: Windermere Full Marathon & Half Marathon, Spokane, Wash.

* May 20: The Lilac Century Ride 2018, Spokane, Wash.

May 26/27: 24 Hours Around the Clock MT Bike, 14.8 Mile Laps, Spokane, Wash.

May 27: Coeur d’Alene Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K Run, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

* May 27: Priest Lake Spring Festival Run, Half Marathon, 10K, 5K & Kid’s Dash, Coolin, Idaho.

June 2: 38th Annual Spokane Troika Half Triathlon, Spokane, Wash.

* June 2: Stache Dash 5K Fun Run, Liberty Lake, Wash.

June 2: Life Awareness Run/Relay 35 Mile Relay, Spirit Lake, Idaho.

June 2: The Spokane Pizza 5K Run, Spokane, Wash.

June 3: Woodrat 25/12 Mile Mountain Bike Race, Hills Resort, Priest Lake, Idaho.

June 3: Spokane Title 9K, Spokane, Wash.

June 3: 25th Annual Onion Man Triathlon, Walla Walla, Wash.

June 9: Terrain Race, Spokane, Wash.

June 16: 32nd Annual TrailBlazer Triathlon, Medical Lake, Wash.

* June 17: Dad’s Day Dash 5K, Spokane, Wash.

* June 23: Ironkids Run, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

June 24: Ironman 70.3 Triathlon, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

* June 30: Run 2 Summer Kids Race and 5K, Hayden, Idaho.

July 14: 8th Annual Hayden Triathlon, Hayden Lake, Idaho.

July 15: Valley Girl Triathlon/Duathlon, Medical Lake, Wash.

* July 21: Spokenya 7K Run: A race/walk for Clean Water, Spokane, Wash.

* July 21: Kids Race the River Triathlon, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

July 22: Race the River Triathlon, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

* July 28: Great Inflatable Race 5K Run, Spokane, Wash.

July 28: State Park Series #3 Mount Spokane State Park, Mead, Wash.

July 29: Bare Buns Fun Run 5K Run - clothing optional, Loon Lake, Wash.

August 5: Post Falls Sprint Triathlon/Duathlon, Post Falls, Idaho.

August 10: Coeur d’Alene Triathlon, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

August 17/18: Spokane To Sandpoint 200 Mile Overnight Team Relay Race, Spokane, Wash.

August 25: Step Into Fall 5k Run, Half Marathon, Spokane, Wash.

September 8: March for The Fallen 15k, 10k, 5k Run, Spokane, Wash.

September 9: Sundae Sunday 10 Miler, Spokane, Wash.

September 15: Autumn Bloom 5K/10K, Newport, Wash.

September 22: Happy Girls Run Spokane 13.1M, 10K, 5K Run, Spokane, Wash.

* September 23: Valleyfest 5K/10K, Spokane Valley, Wash.

September 30: Colbert Half Marathon, Colbert, Wash.

September 30: Sekani Trail Run 10K, 5K Trail Run, Spokane, Wash.

October 6: 8th Annual Wild Moose Chase 5K, 10K, 25K Trail Run, Spokane, Wash.

October 13: Hayden Lake Marathon, Hayden, Idaho.

October 14: Spokane Marathon, Spokane, Wash.

* October 20: Monster Mash Dash 5K, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

October 27: Chocolate Chip Cookie 50K Trail Run, Spokane, Wash.

With a full 2018 schedule of activities, it’s time to make 2018 your year to sign up for a few events. Maybe you are just getting started with an active lifestyle or you have a goal to compete and beat last year’s time. Either way, get out, be active and have fun!

Judd Jones is a director for The Hagadone Corporation and certified health coach. For more information, go online to jhanawellness.com.