Seven marked trails, comprising more than 30 miles, lead outdoor lovers past landmarks from General Washington’s famous 1777 encampment. (Photo by G. Widman for GPTMC)

Take a hike on National Trails Day 2011, next Saturday, June 4 at Valley Forge National Historical Park.

Sponsored by the American Hiking Society, National Trails Day offers workshops on the coolest hiking gear, helpful fitness assessments and an outdoor exhibit with presentations and educational clinics: all FREE. You can also take a ranger-guided hike and learn about the local birds and their habitats along the picturesque Schuylkill River Trail. Check out the full schedule of events here (PDF).

This year’s theme is “Made With All Natural Ingredients,” aiming to get Americans out of their houses and into the woods. Take it from acting park superintendent, Barbara Pollarine: “This event is an opportunity to explore park trails, get connected, give back and reap the health benefits of an active lifestyle.”

If you’re inspired to give back to the hiking trails at Valley Forge, volunteer opportunities are also available on National Trails Day (or any other day!) to help with trail maintenance.

Sounds like a good excuse to get some fresh air, and help keep Philadelphia’s parks beautiful.

National Trails Day 2011
When: June 4, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: Valley Forge National Historical Park; 1400 N. Outer Line Drive, King of Prussia
Cost: FREE
More info: www.nps.gov/vafo

Last year's race

On your mark, get set, go!

If you’re looking for some fun and fitness for the whole family to kick off your 2010 summer season, lace ‘em up and hit the pavement for the 31st Annual Media 5 Mile Race on Friday, June 18th at 7PM.

The race starts in the heart of Media’s downtown business district on State Street, loops two times through the beautiful, tree-lined residential neighborhoods of the town, and finishes up back on the main drag.

The 5 Miler, which grows in popularity each and every year, attracts a diverse group of runners from the Delaware Valley and beyond. Runners of all ages come out to participate.

Kids under 13 can join the Fun Run held prior to the 5 Mile at 6PM at John K. Barrall Field, which is located along the course. The children get prizes, and so do the adults, in a variety of categories. The night is capped off by an awards ceremony outside the Delaware County Courthouse.

While the course may make your legs burn, the neighborhoods are quaint, the people are friendly, and there are plenty of first aid and water stations along the way to put your mind at ease. Once the last runner crosses that line, grab a bite to eat at one of the many delicious restaurants along the race route, grab a cold cocktail at one of the bars or just stroll around, popping in and out of Media’s unique gift shops and galleries.

Runners, keep in mind that you should act now. There is a cap of 1400 participants due to the increase in turnout each year. To register, or for more information, visit www.media5milerace.com or call 610.566.5210 x555.

31st Annual Media 5 Mile Race [ www.media5milerace.com ]

From the 2010 Down & Dirty Run in Los Angeles

I’ve been searching for a mud run in Philadelphia, and lo and behold, I came across the Down & Dirty right here in the City of Brotherly Mud, er Love. This is a National Mud Run taking place right in your backyard! Well, if your backyard were the Belmont Plateau in Fairmount Park. Close enough.

You can choose to run the 5K or 10K obstacle course, both of which include military-style obstacles, cargo climbs, water crossings, and of course, plenty of mud. After you’re through the grueling course, you can enjoy a free post-race BBQ and put on your new Tech Tee. After-all, you’re going to want to change out of your mud-caked one.

The Down & Dirty will take place on Sunday, July 18th and the event is capping off at 4,000 racers, so get registered! Trust me, these fill up fast, I’ve already missed out on two mud races because I was too slow, no pun intended.

I should also note that $2 from every registration will go directly to benefit Operation Gratitude, a wonderful volunteer organization that sends care packages filled with snacks, entertainment items and personal letters of appreciation to U.S. Service Members deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, and on Naval ships across the sea.

Sign up. Get dirty.

Down & Dirty Run: Philadelphia [ official website ]

Wall Mural @ Bikram

Hot yoga is a relatively young yoga practice, in existence for approximately 30 years, while traditional yoga has been around for more than 3,000. Slowly but steadily, Bikram yoga is making its mark on the world as an emerging form of both physical and mental exercise, and Center City’s Bikram Yoga Studio is a great place to learn it.

The typical class is 90 minutes long and consists of a series of 26 postures… all in a room heated to 105 degrees. The high temperature is said to enhance the stretching, balancing, and strengthening of your body while cleansing away toxins, regenerating cells, and loosening the muscles, tendons, and ligaments to safely stretch. Practicing in the heat is also believed to bring greater mental clarity, self-control, and concentration.

Center City’s Bikram Yoga Studio has been around since 2001. Tucked away on top of a shoe store on Sansom Street, you’ve probably passed it numerous times and not even noticed.

Don’t let the unexpected location trick you, the two spacious studios are decorated with gorgeous murals and stained glass windows to set the perfect atmosphere. An extensive class schedule, with classes from 6:00 in the morning to 7:30 at night, is bound to have a convenient time for even the busiest of people.

Still not convinced that Bikram yoga is for you? The studio offers an intro week package for only $20.

Bikram Yoga
1520 Sansom Street, Third Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 977-9642
www.bikramyoga.com

The Oddyssey Half Marathon is set to hit Philadelphia on May 29th, and aren’t afraid to get a little silly. Want to dress up in a funky costume for your run? They’re hosting a costume contest. You can get all the details about that, right here.

They’ve also partnered with Students Run Philly Style, a wonderful local charity that helps kids achieve a healthy, active lifestyle.

The new marathon is hoping for 5,000 to 10,000 runners this year. Help them reach their goal, and sign up here.

Oddyssey Half Marathon
May 29th, 2010
www.oddysseyhalfmarathon.com

Last year's runners getting ready to go!

Every year, the Pennsylvania Clean Air Council hosts a fun 5k ‘Run on the Saturday Around Earth Day’ event. The run starts off on Martin Luther King Drive, next to the Art Museum.

Expect an Earth Day celebration, bicycle valets, environmental education exhibits, and composting demonstrations through out the day. Participants will score a reusable swag bag full of “eco-friendly goodies.”

You you register today on the official website, or at the event. Registration opens at 7:30am, with the run kick-off at 9am.

Clean Air Council’s 5K Run for Clean Air
www.5KRunforCleanAir.org

Prepare for zen bliss with Yoga Out on a Limb classes at the Morris Arboretum. These classes give a whole new meaning to the term “tree pose.” They will be held in the trees at the new Tree Adventure Structure, a giant open-walls tree house, 50 feet up in the tree canopy, that opened this summer at the Morris Arboretum.

Yogi Jennifer Schelter, who founded Yoga Schelter and Yoga Unite, will lead the group in meditation, pranayama (breathing) and asanas (yoga postures). Enjoy the early morning light, mist and enlightenment up in the trees. And don’t worry about a crowd, the class is capped at 30 people.

After the class, stick around for a morning wander through the Arboretum’s gardens, which include a rose garden, Japanese garden, swan pond, meadows and a fernery.

Yoga Out on a Limb at Morris Arboretum
August 9, 16, and September 13 @ 8:30am

Morris Arboretum
100 Northwestern Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118
(215) 247-5777
www.morrisarboretum.com

Northbrook Canoe Company and Lake Nockamixon (Photos by K. Ciappa and B. Krist)

The temperature’s been rising lately (finally), making it the perfect time to cool off with some awesome water activities!

Philly’s countryside is home to a ton of lakes and rivers that offer boating, tubing, rafting… well, basically any aquatic activity you can imagine. Overwhelmed?  Don’t worry, we’ve pulled together the top five places into a neat, concise list.

CLICK HERE to check out our picks.

Did we miss your favorite? Let us know!

Top Five Places in The Countryside to Play In and On the Water [gophila.com]

Photo by B. Krist for GPTMC

No doubt about it, Philly is an urban oasis. We’ve got plenty of trees, but also an incredible amount of potholes, cracked blacktop and honking cars. Such are the woes and thrills for the city cyclist. But even the most urban guerrilla needs to find some fresh air, rolling hills, and dare I say… geese?

With just a little pedaling, you can experience the greener side of Philadelphia. Pass the lush green landscapes of Fairmount Park, the car free zones on the Schuylkill River Trail and the rich history of Valley Forge. Now I know, you’re thinking that Valley Forge is quite the hike. And you’re right, but any true cyclist would certainly be up for it.

And whether you are a novice or semi pro, you can certainly enjoy a Sunday ride in the park! Come geared and ready for the Freedom Valley Ride on Sun Jun 21st as the Bicycle Coalition of Philadelphia invites you to head up to Valley Forge!

Choose from distances as low as 8 miles to a whopping 60+ that will lead you to the Promised Land! This ride offers something for every type of rider. Don’t worry; there are four food stops along the way. For more info, log to bicyclecoaltion.org. See you on the other side.

Bike Freedom Valley 2009
Sun Jun 21, 2009
www.bicyclecoaltion.org

Nothing says ‘I love you, Dad’ like 3.1 miles. Am I right? This father’s day, partake in the 7th Annual Run 4 Your Life… Beat Prostate Cancer 5K run, 5K walk, or 1 mile fun walk. This is the second year my dad and I are running the race, and my big sister is even joining us this time! It’s a nice event to participate in, especially if you run it with or for your father.

Each year the run unites prostate cancer survivors, their families, medical practitioners, supporters, and simply runners in the fight against the disease (like my dad & I). At the 2007 race, we got to meet Gary Papa and Vince Papale, both survivors.

The race starts and finishes near the steps of the Art Museum. If you’re feeling energetic after the run, race your dad up the steps Rocky-style. If not, take him out to a nice brunch in the Art Museum area instead, like at London Grill or Bishop’s Collar.

A $25 race registration fee benefits the Foundation for Breast and Prostate Health that works to help advance awareness and research. Hope to see you there!

Run 4 Your Life 5K
June 21st, 2009 @ 8:30AM
www.run4yourlife.org

I’m a true urban girl. I have no fantasies of camping, hiking off-road paths, or otherwise getting the most out of nature. But I still like a good athletic challenge. So I was more than happy to discover Go Vertical, an indoor rock-climbing gym right in the city. It lets me approximate the feeling of scaling the side of a mountain without all that actually-hanging-off-a-cliff business.

Go Vertical is like an adult romper room. Music blares, climbers bounce around on the springy blight blue floor, and everyone throws their bags in a big pile in the middle of the room. The 13,500 square feet of climbing surfaces pop with brightly hued holds (little nubs you grab and step onto) that are organized into at least 250 different routes. Those routes range in level from beginning to advanced, so newbies and seasoned climbers alike coexist easily in the space. On my first visit, the staff and other climbers made me feel fully comfortable about trying things out for the first time.

To climb, you’ll need someone to belay for you (read: hold onto your rope so you don’t fall off the wall), so if you’re a newcomer it’s best to visit with someone more experienced or ask one of the super-helpful staffers (who can all show you a thing or two about scaling a wall) for help. Attending one of the many classes for beginners is also a good way to get started. Prepare to concentrate, feel your arms burning, and quite possibly get hooked: looking down 45 feet after a good climb is an addicting feeling.

Go Vertical
950 North Penn St., Philadelphia, PA 19123
(215) 928-1800
www.govertical.com

Want to know why you’ve never heard of the Manayunk Kayak Tours? Because it’s actually called the Kayak Hidden River Tour. Duh. Hidden River Outfitters teams up with the Schuylkill Project and provides kayak tours along the Schuylkill River in Manayunk all summer!

You don’t have to be an expert at kayaking to enjoy this river tour. In fact, you can be very not expert. The tour starts out with a mini paddling instruction session with your guide, and then you’re ready to hop on in the kayak and explore all the hidden-ness of the Schuylkill (accompanied by your guide, of course).

Your $50 registration cost includes instruction, equipment rental and the guided tour. Most tours even include a meal at the Manayunk Brewery and Restaurant! Also, this season there are two new versions of the staple tour – Jazz Brunch Tours and a special Early Morning Birding Tour. You can choose to enjoy jazz music and a breakfast buffet on a Sunday morning after your scenic kayak tour, or observe our feathered friends in migration from the water (don’t forget your binoculars!).

All tours depart from the dock at the Manayunk Brewery and Restaurant on Main Street. All you have to do to sign up is call or go online! I can’t wait to try this out!

Visit their official website for more information. Have fun!