The greater Fayetteville area has rightfully earned the reputation of being a runner's destination. As we're home to thousands of military service members, veterans, and retirees from Fort Bragg, our communities naturally take fitness to a whole new level. I recently blogged about an inspiring military spouse and triathlete, Chris Kenon, who's "grown up in the running community here" and is now training for her first full IRONMAN. Some of Chris' favorite local runs take place here in the spring.

In fact, spring marks the season when you'll find a different run, walk, or hike nearly every week in Cumberland County. Visitors come from all over to tackle some of our bigger races, such as the All American Marathon, while others take advantage of our many fun runs, walks for good causes, or nature hikes. If you're looking for ways to get active this spring of 2020, look no further than these 30+ upcoming events and start planning your trip to America's Hometown now. On your marks, get set, go!

April

April Fool Me Walk
J. Bayard Clark Park, Fayetteville – Wednesday, April 1st

Walk to End Lupus Now
Paradise Acres, Hope Mills – Saturday, April 4th

Spring Spirit III 5K
Westover High School, Fayetteville – Saturday, April 4th 

FSU ROTC 5K
Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville – Saturday, April 4th

AsONE Prayer Walk
Festival Park, Fayetteville – Saturday, April 4th

8th Annual GLObal Run
Gray's Creek Middle School, Fayetteville – Saturday, April 4th

Long Live the Longleaf Hike
Carvers Creek State Park, Spring Lake – Saturday, April 4th

Easter Dash
Highland Baptist Church, Hope Mills – Saturday, April 11th

Spring Bird Walk
J. Bayard Clark Park, Fayetteville – Saturday, April 11th

Turtle Trot
J. Bayard Clark Park, Fayetteville – Monday, April 13th

Ribbon Walk for Cancer
Festival Park, Fayetteville – Saturday, April 18th

Around the World Run
Yarborough Complex, Fort Bragg – Saturday, April 25th

May

Sensory Night Hike
J. Bayard Clark Park, Fayetteville – Friday, May 1st 

John E. Norman Cinco de Mayo 10K & 5K Race
Medical Arts Center, Fayetteville – Saturday, May 2nd

Walk MS
Festival Park, Fayetteville – Sunday, May 3rd

7th Annual Cole Humphrey Memorial Run
Cape Fear High School, Fayetteville – Date TBA

The Derby Run
Terry Sanford High School, Fayetteville – Saturday, May 16th

13th Annual Anderson Creek Club 5K/10K
Overhills High School, Spring Lake – Date TBA

Memorial Day 5K
Jordan Soccer Complex, Fayetteville – Monday, May 25th

Pet Fest 5K Pet Walk 2020
Hope Mills Municipal Park, Hope Mills – Saturday, May 30th

BONUS

13th Annual Run for the Legend 5K/10K
Airborne & Special Operations Museum, Fayetteville – Saturday, June 6th

The Color Run 5K
Crown Complex, Fayetteville – Saturday, June 20th 

5th Annual Man22 Suicide Awareness Run
TruFit Gym, Hope Mills – Saturday, June 20th 

Spartan Race: Fayetteville Ultra, Beast and Sprint
McCormick Farms, Spring Lake – Saturday, June 27th, & Sunday, June 28th

Even beyond springtime, you'll find races and a vast range of recreational opportunities occurring here year-round, and you can track all those on the Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau's (FACVB) Calendar of Events. To learn more about the uniqueness of the All American Marathon and why Fayetteville is an ideal runner's destination, read what one inspiring military spouse and triathlete had to share with me recently on "Featured in Fay: Chris Kenon."

Are you interested in bringing a race to our I-95 runner's destination? The FACVB's Sports Sales Manager can assist you in everything from finding a facility/route to working with our hotels to acquire the best rates. Watch the video below to learn more about why Fayetteville is an ideal location for races. Then submit your Request for Proposal to the FACVB team.