By Gillian Heck — The Berkshire Eagle,The Berkshire Eagle

Copyright berkshireeagle

The third annual Fitness in Recovery 5K is set for Sunday along the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail.

On Sept. 21, Spectrum Health and the Berkshire Running Foundation will host the FIR event during National Recovery Month to help bring awareness to the growing need to address substance abuse and support recovery in the community.

“Working with the Foundation helps support the mission that a community support can be one of the strongest components to finding wellness,” said Rebecca Polastri, Regional Executive Director at Spectrum Health Systems, Inc.

The race starts at 9 a.m. at the Crane Avenue entrance in Pittsfield. There will be Bartlett’s cider donuts and apple cider after the race.

The run/walks supports FIR, which “helps individuals deal with the issues surrounding any type of recovery; whether it be from substance abuse, anxiety, depression, grief, food issues, or being a caregiver to someone in recovery,” reads a release.

Registration is $35 until Sept. 20 and free for students from K through 12, and includes a technical race shirt.

Lee Wildcats’ Main Street Mile

As part of Founder’s Day Weekend in Lee, the Lee Middle and High School cross-country team will host the Main Street Mile on Saturday, Sept. 20.

The 1-mile race starts at 9:55 a.m., prior to the downtown parade, at Canal Street in Lee. The finish line is at the Lee Athletic Field on Housatonic Street.

Registration is $20 for adults and $10 for students. For more information or to register visit BerkshireRunningCenter.com

Beat Beethoven 5K

The Pittsfield High School music department is hosting a unique race on Sept. 28.

The PHS Chapter of Tri-M, a national music honor society, will host a 5K fundraiser called Beat Beethoven. Runners will be racing against Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 in hopes of completing the race before the piece finishes. Symphony No. 5 generally lasts around 28 minutes.

The race is at Berkshire Community College’s Paterson Field House beginning at 10 a.m. Proceeds will go toward repairing instruments, supporting music in local schools, and community service projects centered around music education.

Registration is $25 for adults 19 and older, and $10 for students 13-18. Under 13 children are free. Day-of registration is $5 more. The first 30 registrations receive water bottles, bracelets and stickers.

Costumes are encouraged. More information and registration: https://forms.gle/n3dg3Re1bTPfxvpj7

Fall Foliage 5K

As part of Discover North Adams’ Fall Foliage Festival, a Fall Foliage 5K will be held on Sunday, Oct. 5 at noon.

The event will be at 10-20 Ashland Street. Registration is $20. More information at DiscoverNorthAdams.com.

Lime Rock Park Epic

A new event in 2025, on Oct. 12, Berkshire Running Foundation is partnering with Lime Rock Park’s Epic Bike Race event to introduce a 5K run/walk along the Lime Rock race track.

“Participants will take on the 3.1-mile challenge on this legendary speedway,” reads a release. “This collaboration is with Domestique Events to benefit The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp. Founded by Paul Newman, The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp is dedicated to providing ‘a different kind of healing’ to children with serious illnesses and their families, free of charge. We are a community that celebrates the spirit of childhood, the sound of laughter and the feeling of endless possibility.”

Students run free. Registration for others is $35 through Sept. 30 and increases the closer the event draws. Race shirts are for the first 100 registered runners.

The race is two laps of the track, while the cycling event is happening on a different course. The race begins at 9:30 a.m. with awards at 11. Lime Rock is located at 60 White Hollow Road in Lakeville, Conn. No pets are allowed at the race track.

Information and links to registration for all these events can be found on the Berkshire Running Foundation website www.berkshirerun.org . Executive Director Shiobbean Lemme can be reached at director@berkshirerun.org

Red Lion Inn Roaring 5K

The Roaring 5K returns to the Red Lion Inn in 2025 on Oct. 26.

A benefit for Community Access to the Arts, the race starts with a group photo on the steps of the historic hotel — costumes encouraged — 10 minutes before the start time of 9 a.m. Runnners will travel through the grounds of Naumkaeg on the final day of the annual Pumpkin Show.

Awards are at 10:30 a.m. along with a CATA raffle. No pets allowed. Post-race beverages and a hot oatmeal bar will be available for participants in the Red Lion’s courtyard. Registration is $35, with students running free.