You walk, run, swim, and bike to keep in shape—how selfish of you. Here are a few ways to put all of that expended energy to good use, benefiting someone else for a change.
Relay for Life
relayforlife.org
Survivors, caregivers, and supporters continue the battle against cancer with Relay for Life fundraising walk-a-thons, which you can find throughout the county over the course of this month. Events take place in Yonkers (June 1 and 2), Somers (June 1 and 2), Ossining (June 2), Rye (June 8 and 9), Yorktown (June 8), Pelham (June 9 and 10), Mount Vernon (June 15 and 16), and Lewisboro (June 22 and 23).
Get Your Guts in Gear—Ride for Crohn’s and Colitis
June 8 – June 10
Westchester and Rockland Counties
(866) 944-6848; ibride.org
The Westchester Cycling Club supports this two-day bike ride, which features a route that totals 150 miles, with the option to do an additional “century loop.” At night, participants camp out in private campsites. The event benefits the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, the United Ostomy Association of America, and Advocacy for Patients with Chronic Illness.
Rockwood Ramble 10k
June 9
Rockefeller State Park Preserve, Sleepy Hollow
westchestertrack.org (register at active.com)
This 10K race, dedicated to the memory of avid runner Geoff Stein, winds its way through the carriage trails of Rockefeller State Park and offers views of the Hudson River. All proceeds go to maintaining the park’s trails.
Bark for Life
June 10
Lyndhurst, Tarrytown
(914) 397-8827; relayforlife.org/barkforlife
Get Fido and Fluffy working for a cure for cancer, too. The event includes a non-competitive walk, music, dog demonstrations, food, contests, and other pet-friendly activities.
Kerry/Donegal Ladies 5k Run/Walk
June 16
Tibbetts Brook Park, Yonkers
kerry-donegalladiesgfc.com
Kerry/Donegal Ladies G.F.C. is one of five ladies football teams—we’d call it soccer—currently competing in New York, so it’ll be a challenge to keep up with the team during its first annual 5K run. The event benefits the Suicide/Crisis Prevention Hotline at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Harrison.
Lynn Adams Memorial 5K Run/1-Mile Walk & Talk-a-thon
June 30
Somers High School, Somers
somersny.com (register at active.com)
Part of Somers’s Independence Day Celebration, the run is done in memory of town resident Lynn Adams. All proceeds go to the Lynn Adams Memorial Foundation Scholarship Fund.
Long Island Sound Open Water Swim
July 28
Larchmont Yacht Club, Larchmont
(914) 632-3236; swimacrossamerica.org
This year, the Long Island Sound Open Water Swim celebrates its 20th year—and in that time it’s grown into one of the largest of Swim Across America’s cancer-fighting events. Swimmers make a one-, four-, or six-mile path through the open waters of the Long Island Sound.
And, if you want to keep it going in the fall:
Hudson River Swim for Life
September 15
Kingsland Point Park, Sleepy Hollow
(914) 949-0084; hudsonriverswim.org
Choose the three-mile swim across the Hudson River or the one-mile swim along the shore of Sleepy Hollow. Either way, each participant will swim in honor of a patient battling leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma, and proceeds benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Jarden Westchester Triathlon
September 23
Rye Town Park, Rye
(914) 967-6363; westchestertriathlon.org
The Westchester Triathlon is one of the biggest races in the Northeast. Adults participate in the Olympic Triathlon, while children and teens can participate in the Kids Triathlon and the Westchester Super Sprint Triathlon. The not-for-profit organization splits proceeds between many local charities, including the Rye YMCA, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, MAC Angels for ALS, Challenged Athletes Foundation, and the Wounded Warrior Project.
