Spring is synonymous with awakening, rebirth, and renewal. After a long, cold, dreary winter, the days of spring bring with them warming sunshine, longer days, blossoming flowers and a general sense of optimism and the good things that are surely to come.

Rabid with spring fever, people are anxious to be outside — to drink in the delights of the world waking up around them. Blessed with beautiful, breathtaking geography, Pickens County has endless opportunities for its residents to enjoy all the out-of-doors has to offer. What better way to behold spring than by walking, running or cycling through it as it unfolds?

The next few months are abundant with opportunities to participate in fitness-related events that not only get people moving and enjoying the outdoors, but also contribute to a variety of community organizations that serve Pickens County. Whatever their sport preference, there is an activity designed and organized to piqué a variety of interests.

Fifth annual Azalea Festival 5k Run/Walk
Date: Saturday, April 16
Time: 7:30-8:30 a.m. Registration and Race Start
Early T-shirt Pickup & Registration: Friday, April 15 
near main stage beside courthouse from 6:30-8 p.m.
Place: Pickens High School Parking Lot
Cost: Early Registration Fee —  $25 (prior to April 2)
Late Registration — $30 after April 2

Sponsored by the Pickens Women’s Association, proceeds benefit Beverly M. Smith Scholarship Fund. Participants will receive T-Shirts and goodie bags for the first 100 who register. The race course will begin and end at Pickens High School and is certified by USA Track & Field. Electronic chip timing will be used! For more information and registration, contact Amanda Dow at adow@indigoridge.com  or (864) 506-4619.

Third annual Clemson Easter Bunny Run 5k and Half Marathon
Date: Saturday, April 2
Time: 6-7:30 a.m. — Registration & Check In
8 a.m. — Half Marathon Start
8 a.m. — 5K Start
9:30 a.m. — Easter Egg Hunt
Place:South Carolina Botanical Gardens, Clemson
Cost: Pre-registration Half-Marathon $60 — 5K $20
On-site Registration Half-Marathon $70 — 5K $25

A bicycling Easter Bunny will lead runners on a scenic course through Clemson and the surrounding area. Those who find eggs along the way are in store for a surprise at the end of the race. This year is a new course. All half marathon finishers will earn a medal for their efforts and participation. All proceeds will benefit active members of Clemson’s Triathlon Club going to Collegiate Nationals in Alabama. For more information and registration, visit www.easterbunnyrun.com.

Easley Spring Fling 5k and Cycling Event
Date: Saturday, April 9
Time: 7:30 a.m. Easter Egg Fun Run
8 a.m. 5K and Bike Ride Start
Place:Downtown Easley: Corner of Main & Pendleton St.
Cost: 5K Run/Walk with shirt and chip-timing  —   $15 Early/$20 Late
5K Run/Walk without shirt and no official timing — $10 Early/$15 Late
Bike Rides (fee includes shirt) — $15 Early/$20 Late

All proceeds from this 5k run/walk, 1/2 metric bike ride and metric bike ride will benefit Share the Spirit — a scholarship program for children and families in Pickens County. There will also be a free Easter Egg Fun Run with a small prize for children ages 2-10. For more information and registration, contact the Pickens County YMCA http://www.pcymca.net/.

Partners in Health 5k Partner Run & Walk
Date: Sunday, April 10
Time: 1 p.m.
Place:South Carolina Botanical Gardens, Clemson
Cost: Individual — $20
Partners — $30 ($15 each)
Children 4 & under — free
Includes t-shirt and goodie bag

Clemson Project Remedy is hosting a 5k run/walk through the beautiful South Carolina Botanical Gardens and we invite you to bring the entire family (including the dogs!). All proceeds will go to Partners in Health, an organization that is currently working in Haiti to bring relief to the cholera crisis and we hope that our 5k Run/Walk will not only aid them by sending tangible resources, but also by giving the gifts of hope, support, and encouragement. We look forward to seeing you there! For more information or registration, visit www.active.com.

20th Jubilee Joy Ride
Date: Saturday, April 2
Time: 8 a.m.
Place:Pendleton District Agricultural Museum
120 History Lane, Hwy 28/76

Enjoy the arrival of Spring by joining other cyclists at the 20th annual Jubilee Joy Ride through rural Anderson County in the Foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Joy Ride begins from the Pendleton District Agricultural Museum grounds and its carefully planned loops will take you onto some of the most scenic roads in Anderson County. The 28-mile loop explores quiet country roads and travels through the communities of Sandy Springs and La France. The metric Century (62.5 miles) route starts on the 28-mile loop and adds another 35-mile loop onto the ride, which leads the riders into the rolling hills of northern Anderson County. All rides will be SAGed until the last rider is in. Rest stops with snacks and drinks will be available on all routes. For more information and registration, visit www.active.com.

Inaugural Peace Power Run 5k
Date: Saturday, April 2
Time: 8:30 a.m. — Fun Run
9 a.m. — 5k Race Start
10 a.m. — Post-race Party
Place: Veteran’s Park, Pendleton
Cost: Pre-registration (with T-shirt) — $25
On-site Registration (T-shirt if available) — $30

This is a certified course — moderate to easy and relatively flat. Age category awards for top finishers. 100 percent of the proceeds benefit Mary’s House (Domestic Violence Shelter in Pickens County) and Hunter’s Store. For more information about this event and registration, contact peace.power.run@gmail.com or visit www.active.com.

Race to the Rock: President’s Race for the Library
Date: Saturday, April 9
Time: 7:15 a.m. Check-In and Registration
8:30 a.m. Race Start
Place:Clemson University Cooper Library
Cost: Early, $15 for ages 12 and under — $20 for all others
Race day, $20 for all ages (please register by 8 a.m.)

The President’s Race for the Library seeks to provide a quality racing experience while  raising  funds  for  Clemson  University  Libraries. Participation  will  provide  an  opportunity  for  a  fun,  healthy competition in a safe environment. U.S. Track & Field Certified 5K Race Course.  The race begins at Cooper Library and ends at Howards Rock in Memorial Stadium. Prizes will be awarded for overall & age group categories. Free T-shirt will be included with all preregistrations. For more information and registration visit www.clemson.edu/administration/president/race/.

Take Back the Night 5k
Date: Friday, April 15
Time: 7 p.m. Race Start
10 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Race Day Registration and Packet
Pick-Up in the lobby of the Hendrix Student Center
Place:Clemson University Hendrix Student Center
Cost: Pre-Registration $12 — Race Day Registration $20

Take Back the Night is an international recognition of relationship violence. All over the world, local communities come together for the purpose of promoting awareness about the sexual, physical and emotional violence people endure every day. Each and every one of us is encouraged to take a stand and speak out against this violence so people everywhere will feel safe and free. Last year over 700 people participated in this important event. For more information and registration visit www.clemson.edu/campus-life/campus-services/redfern/healthy-campus/tbtn.html or contact Jennifer Goree at (864) 656-5002 or goree@clemson.edu.

Wings of Hope for Heather 5k
Date: Saturday, April 16
Time: 7:30 a.m. — Packet Pick-Up
9 a.m. — Race Start
Place: Crosswalk by Catherine Smith Park at the
Intersection of College & Edgewood Avenues in Clemson
Cost: Early Registration — $25
On-site Race Day — $30
$10 to sponsor a butterfly release following race

The Wings of Hope for Heather 5k is being held in memory of Heather Grove Wood’s 13-year battle with ovarian cancer. Proceeds will go to the South Carolina Ovarian Cancer Foundation. Pre-race registration and packet pickup will be held on Friday, April 15, at the Courtyard Marriott in Clemson from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. For more information and registration, visit www.active.com.