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

ODDyssey half marathoners // Photo via Facebook

June is jam-packed with tons of seriously cool fitness and foodie events — from tree-house yoga to the ultimate farm-to-table dining experience (it’ll only run you $10!), and more — that are sure to keep you moving and eating well. Our top picks, below.

1. National Running Day 
When: Wednesday, June 3rd.
Where: All over the city.

National running Day — the day every year where folks scream their love for running from the rooftops — is Wednesday, June 3rd, and there is tons of fun stuff already on the books for the big day: Philadelphia Runner will be hosting a fun run that ends with free Rita’s water ice (yes, please!), Back on My Feet will have folks chalking the town with “I run because … “ statements, and the November Project will be hosting their regular Wednesday morning boot camp, but on this special day it will include a shoe drive and some brews. But hey, you can also just go for a good long run and call it a day!

2. Be Well Philly Boot Camp
When: Saturday, June 6th from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Drexel Recreation Center, 3301 Market Street, University City.

Not to toot our own horn or anything, but this year’s Be Well Philly Boot Camp is going to be the bomb. We’ve got a bazillion and one fitness classes that will be going throughout the day: a Lithe Method pop-up, a Catch a Wave summer-themed Spin class with Body Cycle Studio, and Vavoom Cardio Burlesque (yes, cardio burlesque), just to name a few. Plus, we’ll have a slew of great speakers, a cooking demo stage where folks from Philly favorites like Vedge and P.S. and Co. will be spilling their kitchen secrets, a healthy happy hour (!!) and much, much more. You can snag your ticket for the ladies-only event here. Trust us, you are not going to want to miss it.

3. Devil Takes the Hindmost 
When: Saturday, June 27th at 11 a.m.
Where: Location to be determined.

This brand spankin’ new race comes from Rebecca Schaefer, the brains behind the Rocky 50K, so you know it’s going to be a good time. The idea is, runners start on a track and run two laps, then every lap after that, anywhere between the last one and three runners to cross the lap line gets pulled from the race until it’s down to just one runner. The race doesn’t have a distance limit, and Schaefer says if enough people show, it could end up being as long as a 10K. The race is free and costumes are strongly encouraged — the folks pulling you out of the race are going to be dressed as devils, after all. The location in the city has yet to be determined but you can keep up with them on Facebook to stay up-to-date.

4. Philly Vegfest
When: Saturday, June 6th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Headhouse Square, Old City.

Sadly, this festival celebrating all things vegetarian, falls on the same day as Be Well Philly Boot Camp — but hey, you can go after you get your sweat on! In its second year, the day-long fest boasting vegetarian-friendly food vendors like Sip-N-Glo, Gangster Vegan Organics, clothing vendors, live music, a dog station (yes, a dog station), and more, was originally slated to happen at Clark Park but has been moved to Headhouse Square, where it was last year. The event is free. Just make sure to show up hungry — if it’s anything like the inaugural fest, there will be plenty of samples.

5. Cocktail Spring Roll Dinner with Cloud 9 Rooftop Farm
When: Friday, June 26th from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Where: Guild House West, 1221 Fairmount Avenue, Fairmount.

Remember Cloud 9 Rooftop Farm? Well, they’re kicking off a new series of educational events, and the first one sounds awesome. It’s a cocktail and spring roll dinner — but get this: Guests will pick the produce and herbs for their spring rolls and cocktails from the garden themselves. Is that not the ultimate farm-to-table experience? The event is BYO-liquor, and it’ll just cost you a $10 donation at the door.

6. The ODDyssey Half Marathon
When: Sunday, June 14th at 7 a.m.
Where: Starts at the Please Touch Museum, 4231 Avenue of the Republic, Fairmount Park.

Even if you’re not pounding the pavement in the ODDYssey Half Marathon, it’s worth a watch: A good chunk of runners dress up and, during this year’s race, one local runner will attempt to set the world record for fastest half marathon run as a fruit. Yep, that’s a thing. So be sure to look out for the guy decked out in banana gear.

7. SUP Yoga returns to Spruce Street Harbor Park 
When: Starts Wednesday, June 17th.
Where: Spruce Street Harbor Park, 121 North Columbus Boulevard, the Delaware Waterfront.

If you have yet to try your handstand on a paddleboard, you will soon have plenty of opportunities: The ladies of Aqua Vida are bringing stand-up paddleboard yoga back to Spruce Street Harbor Park for the second year in a row. They’ll be offering classes on Wednesdays and Saturdays all summer long, and all skill levels are welcome. Just try not to fall into the Delaware River because, well, ick.

8. The Generation Run
When: Saturday, June 13th at 10 a.m.
Where: The Navy Yard, 4747 South Broad Street, South Philly.

This run, the signature fundraising race for Student Run Philly Style, ends with a root beer float garden complete with free root beer from Yards Brewing Company and free Little Baby’s Ice Cream. Need we say more? Registration is $35.

9. Midsummer Night 5K Series
When: Thursday, June 11th,  7:30 p.m.
Where: 1498 South Sussex Road, Wynnewood.

June 11th marks the kickoff of this three-part 5K series put on by Bryn Mawr Running Company, which takes runners around the slightly hilly “Ardmore Loop” three times. You can opt to run a single 5K or to run all three (the other dates are July 9th and August 13th), and see how your running game improves over the course of the summer.

10. Yoga Out on a Limb at Morris Arboretum
When: Sunday, June 14th at 8:30 a.m.
Where: 100 East Northwester Avenue, Chestnut Hill.

This 90-minute class, led by Jennifer Schelter, is held 50 feet off the ground in the Morris Arboretum’s tree canopy. The class will focus on breathing, mindfulness meditation, balance, strength, flexibility, core awareness, and relaxation. And, tell me, who can say no to tree house yoga? Registration will run you $25.

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