December 19, 2016 | Daily Burn article online | Article.pdf

The holiday season makes for the perfect time to give back! And what better way to help those in need than doing your own body some good while you’re at it? These charity races, from 5K runs to 500-mile bike rides, will get you up and out while supporting cancer research, diabetes prevention and more. Take time today to add a few of these events (listed by date) to your 2017 race schedule. And let’s take one step forward, together!

Exercise for a Cause: 11 Charity Races that Give Back

1. Cupid’s Chase 5K
Locations: 33 cities across the U.S.
When: February 11, 2017
Charity: Community Options, Inc, an organization dedicated to developing housing and employment opportunities for people with disabilities

This 3.2-miler welcomes walkers, runners, joggers, strollers and wheelchairs to conquer the course. Each participant is encouraged to set up an individual fundraiser, complete with cool swag to keep you reaching for more donation dollars. And you only need to hit $50 to snag the first-level prize. Just make sure to sport your best reds and pinks on race day.

2. Cycle for Survival

Locations: 16 cities across the U.S.
When: February and March, 2017
Charity: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, a private research hospital at the forefront of finding treatments for rare cancers

3. Get Your Rear in Gear and Tour de Tush

Locations: 41 cities across the U.S.
When: February through November, 2017
Charity: Hosted by the Colon Cancer Coalition, which works to encourage screenings and raise awareness about colorectal cancer by funding local campaigns

4. Tour de Cure

Locations: 76 cities across the U.S.
When: March to December, 2017
Charity: American Diabetes Association, supporting diabetes research and advocacy

5. Walk for Life World Run

Locations: Sunrise, FL, Santa Clarita, CA and 23 cities abroad
When: May 7, 2017
Charity: 100 percent of the entry fee goes to the Wings for Life Foundation, which funds research for spinal cord injury treatment

6. Cause + Adventure 5K Run/Walk Race Series

Locations: Boston, MA, Portland, OR and Boise, ID
When: May 21, 2017, Fall 2017 and TBD (respectively)
Charity: Any non-profit the participant chooses

7. AIDS Lifecycle Ride 545

Location: San Francisco to Los Angeles, CA
When: June 4-10, 2017
Charity: San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the Los Angeles LGBT Center

8. Jingle Bell Run/Walk

Locations: More than 100 cities across the U.S.
When: July through December 2017
Charity: Arthritis Foundation, which helps give the arthritis community more access to information, resources, care, science on treatments and support within their communities
9. Susan G. Komen 3-Day

Locations: Atlanta, Dallas, Philadelphia, San Diego, Seattle, Twin Cities and Michigan (Novi to Dearborn)
When: August through November 2017
Charity: Susan G. Komen, which supports breast cancer awareness and research

10. T.E.A.L. Walk/Run Program

Locations: Brooklyn and Whitesboro, NY, Savannah, GA and Litchfield, CT
When: September 2017
Charity: Tell Every Amazing Lady about Ovarian Cancer Louisa M. McGregor Ovarian Cancer Foundation, which aims to promote awareness, raise research and support survivors of ovarian cancer

11. St. Jude Walk/Run to End Childhood Cancer

Locations: 60 cities in the U.S.
When: September 2017
Charity: St. Jude’s Children Hospital, a free hospital for kids battling cancer, which also researches treatments