Early registration opened for the 2017 Bass Pro Shops Fitness Series, the 11th annual lineup of races and runs celebrating health and wellness, outdoor adventures and wildlife conservation in the beauty of the Ozarks.
Participants can register online starting at 12 p.m. CST for all Fitness Series events, which range from kid-friendly distances to 100-mile bike rides located in and around Springfield and the Ozarks region. Last year, more than 1,000 community members volunteered and more than 7,500 people participated in the events.
“Bass Pro Shops is proud to once again sponsor the Bass Pro Shops Fitness Series as part of our mission to inspire everyone to enjoy, love and conserve the great outdoors,” said Martin MacDonald, an avid runner and Bass Pro Shops director of conservation. “This year we are hosting a variety of events and activities designed for people of all ages, backgrounds, fitness levels and areas of interest.”
The 2017 Fitness Series begins with the Rock4Kids events, designed to encourage kids to walk, run or take part in physical activity. Parents can choose the distance their participant will complete. There are four run/walk distances to choose from: quarter mile, half mile, one mile and 1.5 miles.
- April 21 – Rock4Kids Paint the Run
- June 17 – Rock4Kids Polar Bear Run
- October 21 – Rock4Kids Zombie Run
The Run the Rock course (September 16) is designed for experienced runners and provides special views of Top of the Rock Ozarks Heritage Preserve. The terrain includes gravel, road, trail, wet rock, metal bridge, water and dirt. Participants experience waterfalls, a cave, scenic overlooks and beautiful surroundings.
Tour De Bass (October 8) is a special opportunity to cycle through the scenic Ozark countryside and surrounding communities. Distances range from a light 12-mile ride to a rigorous 100-mile tour of the Springfield, MO area.
Bass Pro Shops Marathon Weekend kicks off with a free health and wellness expo, which is open to the public and features more than 50 vendors. Marathon Weekend races, ranging from a full marathon to the Fitness Series 5K, start and finish at the flagship Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World in Springfield, MO, located at the intersection of Sunshine Street and Campbell Avenue.
- November 4 – Marathon Expo
- November 5 – Fitness Series 5K, Cohick Half Marathon, Mercy Sunshine Marathon Relay and Conservation Marathon
The Dogwood Canyon Trail Run Weekend is set within the 10,000 acres of Dogwood Canyon Nature Park and offers a trail running experience that features beautiful hills, streams and more.
- November 11 – Dogwood 15K
- November 12 – Dogwood 25K, 50K
- November 11-12 – Dogwood Challenge 15/25K, 15/50K
For more information and to register online, visit www.fitness.basspro.com or download the Bass Pro Shops Fitness Series app, available for both Android and iPhone. The app also provides participants access to course maps, race results, a photo booth and answers to frequently asked questions.
