There’s a team run (5K or 10K, your choice) at the coast, a colorful run in the Piedmont and a run to register for limited space on a Lake James waterfowl tour.
Coast: St. Patrick’s Day Lo Tide Run
The 12th annual Steve Haydu St. Patrick’s Day Lo Tide Run on Saturday offers an intriguing twist for both the 5K and 10K: team competition. Each team must have five or more runners, teams will be scored based on their top five runners. The hardest part of this event could be coming up with a worthy team name; teams so far include Shaggers for a Cure, Love is Bald and Fat and Stinky. Registration lasts until the morning of the race, so you’ve got time.
Proceeds benefit people battling cancer who do not have the means to pay medical bills.
Saturday forecast: High of 68, low of 56 and cloudy.
Vital stats: 12th annual Steve Haydu St. Patrick’s Day Lo Tide Run, Carolina Beach Boardwalk, Saturday, March 12, 8 a.m.; $35m $40 race day, $5 discount for students and military. Contact Jasmine McKee at support@lotiderun.org. More info here.
Looking ahead: Little Explorer’s Nature Program, Halyburton Park, Wilmington, March 21-22, $3 registration fee, more info here.
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Piedmont: Color Me Green 5K Color Run at the U.S. National Whitewater Center
The U.S. National Whitewater Center is putting on a 5K with lots of prizes, some a little … unusual! The goal of the untimed race: to either get green, or stay clean. Awards to the top five overall male and female finishers, as well as the runner who manages to dodge the most green color, and the runner who dodges the least. Additionally, raffle prizes will be given to random runners during the race.
Once it’s over, stick around for the food and drinks, and USNWC’s 6th annual Green River Revival.
Saturday forecast: High of 72, low of 54, chance of showers.
Vital stats: Saturday, March 12, 10 a.m.; race day registration of $45, National Whitewater Center, sponsored by Novant Health. More info here.
Looking ahead: The Great Amazing Race Charlotte Adventure/Obstacle Course, $50 entry fee, March 19, more info here.
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Mountains: Waterfowl Boat Tour
Join Ranger Earl Weaver, renowned waterfowl expert aboard the Lake James State Park patrol boat to catch some feathered flyers as they migrate north for the spring breeding season. You will have the opportunity to see many ducks, loons, grebes, and other migratory birds as they flock overhead, enjoying some time in the park before they continue on their way. You might even see some otters or an eagle. Bringing binoculars wouldn’t be a bad idea if you have your own.
Friday forecast: High of 70, low of 53. Chance of showers.
Vital stats: Friday, March 11, 1:50 p.m., Lake James State Park, Nebo. Free. Starts from the Paddy’s Creek Area East Picnic Shelter. Contact: lake.james@ncparks.gov or call 828.584.7728 to make a reservation (trip is limited to eight participants). More info here.
Looking ahead: Meltdown Games, Appalachian Ski Mountain, March 28-29. More info here.
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Those are our thoughts on the weekend. Find more options at the sources listed below.
Coast
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 coastal 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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