2011 Family Fun Runs/5Ks in Phoenix

Summers in Phoenix get pretty hot, so many of the 5Ks and family fun runs take place in late fall, when the dry heat doesn't present as much of a health risk. However, running enthusiasts (as well as those who prefer to walk) have plenty of opportunities to run for various causes in Phoenix, Arizona.

Komen Race for the Cure

The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure is famous all over the United States for raising money for breast cancer research and awareness. The 2011 Phoenix 5K is scheduled for October 9, 2011, and you can begin registering toward the end of May. Both teams and individual runners/walkers are welcome, and there is an alternate 1-mile route for those who prefer a shorter distance.

This particular Phoenix 5K is also a celebration of those who have survived breast cancer. If you are a survivor, you can indicate as much on your registration to receive a special t-shirt and bib in addition to your race t-shirt.

Maggie's Place

Phoenix runners should consider traveling the twenty minutes to Tempe, Arizona, on October 16, 2011, for the Maggie's Place Run. In addition to the 5K, there are also the 9K, 10K, and Kids' Dash events. Registration fees increase every month up until the Maggie's Place Run, starting at 18 in August and escalating to $30 per person on race day. Children who want to participate in the Kids' Dash get to run free.

This 5K, obviously, benefits Maggie's Place, a Catholic-run charity organization that provides safe housing for pregnant women in need. In addition to participating in the race, you can also enter a raffle by bringing an item the organization needs: transit passes, toilet paper, paper towels, canned goods, and non-perishable dry goods.

Ensynch Stairclimb and Firefighter Challenge

On September 10, 2011, join Phoenix area firefighters as they help to "extinguish" the threat of cystic fibrosis. This family fun run is unique in that the race is vertical rather than horizontal - participants climb the stairs at the Arizona Center in downtown Phoenix. Afterward, visitors are encouraged to watch the firefighter challenge, where firefighters from different communities compete against one another in fire-fighting-related scenarios.

Individuals can participate in the event for an entry fee of $25, or give $50 to get a t-shirt as well. Teams and families might want to enter together for a fee of $150. Proceeds go to research searching for cures and effective treatments for cystic fibrosis.