10 Coolest Fitness and Foodie Events in Philly This Month: March 2015

Boozy bridge run, Meatless Monday at Vetri, yoga for dudes and more.

Ben Franklin Bridge | Shutterstock

Ben Franklin Bridge | Shutterstock

Time to turn over your calendars, folks. Spring is almost upon us, which means fitness activities in Philly are really starting to ramp up. From boozy bridge runs to free yoga to a Britney Spears-themed Spin class (really!), there’s lots to fill your free time with in March. Here, our top 10 picks.

1. Philadelphia Bridge Running and Happy Hour Training Program
When: Tuesday, March 24th at 7 p.m.
Where: Meet at Philadelphia Runner, 1601 Sansom Street, Center City.

The folks behind the ODDyssey Half Marathon are bringing back their über-popular Bridge Run Training Program this spring, open to anyone training for any spring race. The six-week program gets underway on March 24th and will run each and every Tuesday through the end of April. Each week, a different Philly running club will lead the pack over the Ben Franklin Bridge and back. The runs end at Buffalo Billiards, where you’ll get a free Sly Fox beer. Each week also features a different charity partner, so you can use this as an opportunity to get to know local running clubs and running charities here in Philly. It’s $30 for the full program.

2. LOVE Run Half Marathon
When: Sunday, March 29th at 8 a.m.
Where: Eakins Oval at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

This second-annual race — which is juuuuust about sold out, by the way — returns this month with 13.1 miles through Center City and Fairmount Park. Runners receive long sleeve tech shirts, a commemorative coffee mug, free beer, Phillies tickets and a finisher’s medal. Let’s just all hope for better weather this year than last.

3. Green Street Coffee Run with Young Involved Philadelphia
When: Tuesday, March 3rd at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Meet at Philadelphia Runner, 1601 Sansom Street, Center City.

This month’s Young Involved Philadelphia Running Club will head to Green Street Coffee (just south of 19th and Washington) to get a behind-the-scenes peek at how coffee beans become, well, coffee. After the run, the group will head to a nearby bar. YIP runs are between two and five miles and appropriate for all fitness levels. Free.

4. Meatless Monday Cooking Class: Winter Roots to Shoots
When: Monday, March 9th at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Vetri, 1312 Spruce Street, Midtown Village.

Learn from the pros at this veggie-centric cooking class led by Ian Brendle, co-owner of Green Meadow Farm, and Vetri’s chef of private dining, Alicia Walter. The four-course menu will include shagbark hickory nuts, super marconi beans, zaatar marjoram and tender greens. It’s $150 a person and limited to 12 guests.

5. Yoga for Dudes Series (with Free Class)
When: Free class is on Saturday, March 28th from 1 to 2 p.m. Four-week series begins on April 4th.
Where: Maha Yoga, 1700 Sansom Street, 6th floor, Center City.

Maha Yoga is kicking off another Yoga for Dudes series this month, with a free class on March 28th. The series is led by instructor Jake Panasevich, a former weightlifter. He helps even the most inflexible guys learn how to enjoy — and benefit from — and regular yoga practice. It’s $50 for the full series if you register by March 28th; $60 after.

6. Back On My Feet 5-Miler
When: Saturday, March 28th at 8 a.m.
Where: Schuylkill Trail Connector (near Paine’s Park).

This timed race starts near the Philadelphia Museum of Art and heads out on MLK Drive toward the Please Touch Museum along a certified five-mile course. Awards are given for top finishers. In the past, the post-race finish line celebration has included food trucks and massages. The race benefits Back On My Feet, a Philly-based national organization that uses running as a tool to change the lives of homeless men and women. Registration is $35 through March 18th, $40 after.

7. Yogapuncture
When: Friday, March 6th from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Where: Nava Yoga Center, 1200 Constitution Avenue, Building 489, The Navy Yard.

Picture this: Sixty minutes of gentle, relaxing, slow-moving yoga, followed by 30 minutes of acupuncture. It’s happening at Nava, and it’s just $25 for the whole shebang.

8. Peanuts, Gluten and Soy … Oh, My!
When: Sunday, March 8th from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Where: The Restaurant School, 4100 Walnut Street, University City.

Healthy-cooking chef Christina Pirello will lead this workshop that’s all about food allergies — specifically, cooking for people who have them. She’ll parse allergy fact and fiction, and offer substitutes for things like peanuts, gluten and soy. It’s $30 to participate.

9. Flywheel Philly’s Birthday Celebration
When: Saturday, March 7th starting at 11:30 a.m.
Where: 1521 Locust Street, Center City.

Flywheel is celebrating is second birthday with a day of theme rides, raffles and freebies. At 11:30 a.m., there’s a Britney Spears ride, and at 2:30 a tag-team old-school vs. new-school hip-hop ride. Anju Threads will be on hand after class to offer free eyebrow threading, and the Juice Philly will be handing out complimentary sips. It’s $25 for drop-ins.

10. CoreFitness Candle Light Yoga
When: Friday, March 6th at 6:15 p.m.
Where: Urban Saloon, 2120 Fairmount Avenue, Fairmount.

The Fairmount bar will play host to candles and yogis as CoreFitness leads a special class to help you unwind before the weekend. It’s $20, or two for $30 (so yes, you should bring a friend). Walk-ins and all fitness levels are welcome.

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