10 Coolest Philly Fitness and Foodie Events This Month: April 2017

Spring has sprung! (And there are a whole lot of fit ways for you to enjoy it!)

Springtime on the Schuylkill Run and Potluck | Photo via Facebook

Springtime on the Schuylkill Run and Potluck | Photo via Facebook

A farmers’ market on fleek (are the kids still saying that?), a donut-fueled 5K, an open streets run: That’s just a handful of the fun April has in store for you. There’s a ton of fitness and foodie fun (much of it free!) to be had this month, so read up, then plan accordingly.

1. Springtime on the Schuylkill Fun Run
When: Saturday, April 1st at 9 a.m.
Where: Lloyd Hall, 1 Boathouse Row, Fairmount.
With the start of April come the car-free lanes of MLK Drive on weekends. Yippee! For this fun run, running clubs from around the city are encouraged to come together and enjoy the open road with a group run (there will be a number of distances to choose from), followed by a potluck picnic in the Azalea Garden behind the Art Museum. Sounds like a lovely way to spend a Saturday, right? Free.

2. Couch or 5K
When: Saturday, April 22nd at 8 a.m.
Where: The Woodlands, 4000 Woodland Avenue, West Philly
This race ends with bottomless coffee and Dottie’s Donut for all. Need I say more? I doubt it, but I will anyway. This new 5K, which will loop runners around the Woodlands cemetery and end with breakfast (that would be the donuts, duh) at the race’s outdoor pop-up couch breakfast nook, is being put on to support the homeless and their animals. $35.

3. Philly Farm and Food Fest
When: Saturday, April 8th at 11 a.m.
Where: Pennsylvania Convention Center, 1101 Arch Street, Chinatown.
If strolling through the farmers’ market is your favorite hour of every single Saturday, you NEED to go to this food fest, which is basically just your favorite farmers’ market on steroids — complete with plenty of samples. You’re guaranteed to go home with all sorts of delicious Philly-made treats in your tote and a full belly. $20.

4. Beer Runners’ Summit
When: April 19th through April 22nd
Where: Various locations around the city.
Beer running is no joke of a sport. Case in point: This new beer runners’ summit, benefitting the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center. The weekend of events includes a number of beer runs (natch), a screening of the documentary about Fishtown Beer Runners, BEER RUNNERS, lectures like “Beer After Exercise: Yes or No?” (we’re guessing yes) and a talk with Christopher McDougall of Born to Run. Cost for events varies.

5. Sip-N-Glo Juicery’s Grand Opening
When: Friday, April 7th from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Sip-N-Glo Juicery, 1700 Sansom Street
Sip-N-Glo is opening their third outpost (and second in Rittenhouse) next week, and you are going to want to wake up bright and early for the grand opening. They’ll be handing out swag mugs (cute, right?) filled with goodies, along with free wellness shots (essential after Thirsty Thursday) to the first 50 guests to make it in the doors.

6. Spring Training at Dilworth Park
When: April 4th through May 25th at various times
Where: Dilworth Park, 1 South 15th Street, Center City.
In exciting news, Dilworth Park’s Spring Training events — AKA your free spring fitness lineup — are making a comeback this April. There will be yoga. There will be boot camps. And there will be Zumba. And I repeat: It’s ALL free.99. Free.

7. Bells & Bras
When: Wednesday, April 19th at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Philadelphia Runner, 4528 Main Street, Manayunk
You know how you can never seem to find a sports bra that fits just right on your own? Well, that’s where this event comes in: It kicks off with a 15-minute run, then a 30-minute kettlebell workout led by Goals Fit. And then, you’ll enjoy some post-workout drinks and be treated to a free sports-bra fitting so you can (finally!) find the perfect fit. Yes, puh-lease. Free.

8. Opening Day for the Circuit Trails
When: Saturday, April 8th.
Where: All over Philly.
There is a whole lot planned for Opening Day on the Circuit Trails, which celebrates the start of trail season (i.e. the time of year when actually want to venture outdoors — and away from heat vents — to explore the trails). The Bicycle Coalition will be leading an 18-mile ride that will take folks along the Schulkill River Trail, the Audubon Trail and Perkiomen Trail (and across the new Sullivan’s Bridge!); the FreeWalkers of New Jersey will be putting on a 28-mile (!!) Great Canal Walk; folks at Penn Treaty Park will be attempting to break the world record for longest Fist Bump Relay (really); and more. See the full schedule here. Free.

9. Mooove & Gobble Retreat
When: Saturday, April 22nd at 10:30 a.m.
Where: Woodstock Farm Sanctuary, New York
You might be thinking, um, this is not in Philly. Well, you’re right. But this plant-based retreat, the second for Mooove, is being put on by two Philly folks: local fitness trainer Mark Donohue and plant-based blogger Amandah Povilitus of the Shift Wellness. This retreat is an Earth Day day trip to New York, where you’ll hang at an animal sanctuary (and snuggle cuddly creatures, of course), get a killer workout in, have a plant-based farm lunch, then head home. Doesn’t that sound lovely? If you’re game, they’re arranging carpools from Philly. $50. 

10. Live Be Yoga Tour at Philly Yoga Factory 
When: Wednesday, April 26th at 12:30 p.m.
Where: Philly Yoga Factory, 1520 Sansom Street, Center City
Consider this your average lunchtime yoga class with some serious icing on the cake. Yoga Journal will be stopping at PYF for their Live Be Yoga Tour, and they’ll be doling out gift bags and giveaways with the class. And the whole shebang — sweat session, gift bag, and all — will only run you a $10 suggested donation. We will take it! $10.

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