Early registration is now open for the 2018 Bass Pro Shops Fitness Series, the twelfth annual lineup of races and runs celebrating health and wellness, outdoor adventures and wildlife conservation in the beauty of the Ozarks. Participants can now register online 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 7,500 people participated in these events, supported by more than 1,000 community volunteers.“Bass Pro Shops proudly challenges everyone to get outside and enjoy the beauty of the Ozarks with our 12th annual Fitness Series,” said Martin MacDonald, an avid runner and Bass Pro Shops director of conservation. “With events and activities for athletes of all skill levels and interests, we hope the Fitness Series will continue inspiring everyone to enjoy, love and conserve the great outdoors.”The 2018 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 6 – Rock4Kids Paint the Run
  • October 20 – Rock4Kids Zombie Run

The Run the Rock course 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.

  • September 15 – Run the Rock 6 mile run

Tour De Bass is a special opportunity to cycle through the scenic Ozark countryside and surrounding communities. Distances range from a light 17-mile ride to a rigorous 100-mile tour of the Springfield, Mo. area.

  • October 7 – Tour De Bass (100 mile, 64 mile, 41 mile, 33 mile, 24 mile and 12 mile distance options)

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, Missouri located at the intersection of Sunshine Street and Campbell Avenue.

  • November 2, 3 – Marathon Expo
  • November 4 – 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 one-of-a-kind trail running experience that features beautiful hills, streams and more.

  • November 10 – Dogwood 15K
  • November 11 – Dogwood 25K, 50K
  • November 10-11 – Dogwood Challenge 15/25K, 15/50K

Partnering with Run Across Missouri and Run Across Springfield 

New this year, the Bass Pro Shops Fitness Series is partnering with the GO! St. Louis Marathon and Family Fitness Weekend and the Hospital Hill Run in Kansas City to offer Run Across Missouri, an opportunity for runners and walkers to complete three half marathons in three different regions of Missouri. Runners who participate in each race receive a medal highlighting that particular area of the state. Special medals from each race are designed to fit together and connect into one cohesive Run Across Missouri medal.

  • April 8 – the GO! St. Louis half marathon in St. Louis, Missouri
  • June 2 – Hospital Hill Run half marathon in Kansas City, Missouri

Additionally, Bass Pro Shops Fitness Series is partnering with local organizations One Sole Purpose and Care to Learn for the Run Across Springfield 5K series. One Sole Purpose provides shoes to kids who attend Title 1 schools and Care to Learn health, hunger and hygiene needs for area students. Participation in the Run Across Springfield 5K series supports local students. The series events include:

  • September – 8 One Sole Purpose 5K
  • October 6 – Panther Run 5K
  • November 4 – News-Leader 5K

For more information and to register online, visit fitness.basspro.com.