10 Coolest Fitness and Foodie Events in Philly: April 2016


Beat the Bus | Photo via Facebook

Beat the Bus | Photo by Kyle Cassidy

Holy cow, you guys. Gone are the freezing winter days when you collapsed onto your couch, succumbing to a Grey’s Anatomy marathon because finding an outdoor fitness activity to join in on was just too much of a hassle: Spring has sprung, and about a bazillion fitness and foodie events in Philly — lots of them outdoors! — sprung up with it. Below, our top 10 picks for fitness and foodie events around Philly this month.

1. Race the Bus
When: Thursday, April 7th at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Meet at Broad Street and Pattison Avenue, South Philly.
The West Philly Runners’ beat-the-bus event is on again, this time with the goal of seeing if runners can beat the 17 bus from the Broad and Pattinson stop to 12th and Market Streets during rush hour. The free 4.5-mile run will end with free beer and bites for all runners at MilkBoy, courtesy of the Clean Air Council. Plus, everyone running will get discounted registration for the Run for Clean Air, another awesome fitness event happening this month.

2. Spring Training at Dilworth Park
When: Various dates and times throughout the month; check the schedule.
Where: Dilworth Park, 1 South 15th Street, Center City.
Throughout April (and May, too!), Dilworth Park will be hosting a slew of free fitness classes, from yoga to Zumba to cardio-kickboxing. The classes are free to join in on and there’s no need to pre-register. And there are lots of them — 14 classes on the roster for April, to be exact.

3. Bike & Bagel 2016
When: Saturday, April 9th at 8 a.m.
Where: You have three starting points to choose from; see here for more info.
Gearing Up’s annual Bike & Bagel event is back, and the name kind of says it all: Participants will bike (there are three starting points; one in Callowhill, one in Mount Airy, and one in West Philly), ending at Lemon Hill for free bagels, courtesy of Schmear It, and coffee from Square One. If you want to squeeze even more post-bagel pedaling into your day, City Fit Girls’ Kiera Smalls will be leading a 10-mile bike ride from Lemon Hill afterward.

4. Springtime on the Schuylkill Fun Run and Potluck 
When: Saturday, April 2nd at 9 a.m.
Where: Lloyd Hall, 1 Boathouse Row.
This fun run is a true celebration of spring: First, runners will pound the pavement along MLK Drive to celebrate the season’s start of car-free running, then runners will hunker down for a BYO-style potluck picnic (picnic season is here, guys!) in the Azalea Garden behind the Art Museum. Now, that’s the way to ring in the season, don’t you think?

5. Free Yoga at Heart Beet Kitchen
When: Every Saturday in April at 9 a.m.
Where: Heart beet Kitchen, 29 Haddon Avenue, Westmont.
The only thing better than a free yoga class is one that’s followed with BYOB brunch — and that’s exactly what you’ll get at this series put on by Lululemon at the new vegan, gluten-free Heart Beet Kitchen. First you’ll get your downward dog on, then you can hang out at the cafe and get your brunch on. (Yoga is free, but brunch will cost you.)

6. Philly Farm and Food Fest
When: Sunday, April 10th at 10 a.m.
Where: Pennsylvania Convention Center, 1101 Arch Street, Chinatown.
A CSA pop-up shop, an area dedicated solely to local coffee, and tons (and tons and tons) of local food vendors: That’s what you can expect at the Philly Food and Farm Fest, a giant festival dedicated to, well, Philly food and drinks — kombucha included. Just don’t forget your reusable tote bag — you’ll probably want to fill it with everything in sight.

7. The Penn Relays
When: Thursday, April 28th through Saturday, April 30th.
Where: Franklin Field, 235 South 33rd Street, University City.
Calling all my fellow high-school track runners: If you have yet to witness the magic that is the Penn Relays, it’s time. The event brings everyone from high-schoolers to runners training in Olympic development programs together for what is essentially the most epic track meet ever.

8. Ricotta Cheese-Making Workshop with Valley Milkhouse
When: Saturday, April 30th at 12 p.m.
Where: Greensgrow Community Kitchen, 2139 East Cumberland Street, Kensington.
Because pizza is healthier if you top it with you cheese you made yourself, right? At this workshop, you’ll learn how to make your own ricotta using just milk and vinegar — a recipe that you’ll surely be able to repeat at home. (Nothing impresses at a pizza party quite like homemade cheese.) Oh! And there will also be a cheese tasting involved in the workshop. You know, for learning purposes.

9. Love Run Half Marathon
When: Sunday, April 10th at 8 a.m.
Where: Eakin’s Oval, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Logan Circle.
This half marathon takes you through both a bit of the city and up along MLK Drive into West Fairmount Park. It ends with a blow-out finish-line festival where you’ll get a very well-earned free beer. And expect to see tailgating at the finish — really.

10. LaMancha Animal Rescue Critter Crawl
When: Sunday, April 17th at 9 a.m.
Where: Hibernia County Park, 1 Park Road, Coatesville.
Yes, we are suckers for races that allow dogs. What of it? And this race, which takes runners through the trails of Hibernia County Park, not only allows your furry friends to join in on the fun, it also benefits the LaMancha Animal Rescue, which rescues dogs, cats, horses, goats and more.

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