Run a distance that suits you at the coast, try something new in the mountains. And in the Piedmont/Lace up and grab your pencil/For some trail magic.
Coast
What the heck, it’s flat: why not do a half marathon — or a full! — at the coast this weekend?
The Quintiles Wrightsville Beach Marathon has become a big event, in part, we gather, because it is a flat course. Also, if you aren’t ready for the big runs, this race offers options: there’s the marathon relay, a 5K and a 1-mile run as well. And according to the forecast, there’s good incentive to run fast: the chance of rain hits about 50 percent by noon.
Logistics: Sunday, March 22, 6:35 a.m., Wrightsville Beach. $17.50 – $100.70. More info here.
Sunday forecast: High of 62, rain developing throughout the day.
Piedmont
It’s a Haiku Hike
Reedy Creek is putting on
C’mon, sounds like fun
Logistics: Saturday, 2 p.m., Reedy Creek Nature Center, Charlotte. $2. More info and to register: 704.432.6460.
Saturday forecast: High of 73, sunny.
Mountains
Warming temperatures mean it’s time to Get in Gear in Asheville — at a festival of the same name this Saturday at RiverLink Park in the River Arts District. There’ll be a lot going on, including product demos, gear clinics, beer from local breweries, raffles and, writes the Asheville Citizen-Times, “the opportunity to try out things you might never have done before, from a sling shot range to a pump track to a ‘squeeze box.’” A portion of proceeds from beer sales benefit RiverLink, a nonprofit that works to revitalize the French Broad River.
Logistics: Saturday, March 21, noon-4 p.m., RiverLink Park, Asheville. More info in this Citizen-Times article.
Saturday forecast: High of 70, mostly sunny.
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Those are our thoughts on the weekend. Find more options at the sources listed below.
CapeFearCoast.com
Comprehensive calendar for the Cape Fear/Wilmington/southern N.C. coast searchable by date and event name.
Coastal Guide
Comprehensive calendar including nature programs from a variety of costal conservation and research agencies that offer nature programs. Covers the entire coast.
Crystal Cost Tourism Authority
Comprehensive calendar focusing on the Crystal Coast. Good source for programs offered by N.C. Coastal Federation, Cape Lookout National Park, N.C. National Estuarine Research Reserve and other costal conservation and research agencies that offer nature programs.
NCCoast.com
Comprehensive calendar including programs for the Outer Banks and Crystal Coast.
North Carolina Coast Host
Comprehensive calendar for the entire coast that lets you search for events by day, by region, by county, by city or by event (based on key word).
This Week Magazine
Primary focus is the Crystal Coast (North Carolina’s coastal midsection).
Mountains
Asheville Citizen-Times
From the main page, click on “Outdoors,” then WNC Outdoors calendar.
Blue Ridge Outdoors
Searchable calendar lets you extend your reach to events throughout the mid-Atlantic and Southeast (or you can just limit it to North Carolina). Also lets you search a boatload of categories, ranging from Hiking, Mountain Biking and Climbing to Trail Running, Triathlon and Road Walking.
The Mountain Times
From the main page, click on “Calendars,” then Main Events.
Piedmont
Charlotte
Charlotte Observer events calendar
Comprehensive calendar searchable by category, including Nature, Recreation, Recreation & Wellness, Running
Charlotte Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.
Triad
GoTriad.com
Comprehensive calendar includes a Sports & Recreation category.
Piedmont Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.
Triangle
Triangle.com
Comprehensive calendar searchable by category, including: Birding, Boating, Cycling, Nature, Rec & Wellness, Recreation, Running, Swimming, Tennis, Yoga.
Carolina Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.
Statewide
Great Outdoor Provision Co.
Calendar includes three weekly events for each of its seven markets: Chapel Hill, Charlotte, Greensboro, Greenville, Raleigh, Wilmington and Winston-Salem. Search by market.
Office of Environmental Education
One calendar for the numerous Environmental Education Centers statewide.
North Carolina State Parks
Lets you search for programs at the state’s parks, recreation areas and natural areas by location, by month, by topic. To reach the calendar from the home page, click on “Education,” then “Fun & Free Programs at Parks.”
National Forests in North Carolina
From the home page, click on Carolina Connections for news updates on the state’s four national forests as well as hints on recreational opportunities and a detailed rundown of recreation areas and the amenities at each.
U.S. National Wildlife Refuges
Rundown, by month, of regular activities at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service refuges in North Carolina.
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