With spring on the horizon and more daylight ahead, it’s the perfect time to run in Salisbury and Wicomico County. Whether you’re just starting out or are an experienced runner, there are plenty of races, roads and trails to explore. In addition to the beautiful scenery, Salisbury and Wicomico County are flat, which could help bring you to a new personal record.

Here are some upcoming races in the area.

Tim Kennard River Run and Rob’s Run for Kids

The 19th annual Tim Kennard River Run is set for Sunday, March 3, at 8:30 a.m. The 10-mile, 5K and noncompetitive 5K courses start and end at Salisbury Bible Fellowship, located at 1500 Court Plaza Lane in Salisbury, and take runners through the beautiful neighborhoods near Salisbury University. The 10-mile course includes views of the Wicomico River and Downtown Salisbury. The race benefits Coalition of Caring, TEAM 360 and the Eastern Shore Running Club Scholarship Fund. The prior day, March 2, kids ages 2-10 can run on Eastern Shore Drive near the Evolution Craft Brewing Co. Public House. This fun run starts at 2 p.m. and distances range from 50 yards for kids ages 2-4 to a half-mile for kids ages 9-10. The entry fee is a donation to the Rob Schultheis Memorial Scholarship at Salisbury University.

Bun Run

The Eastern Shore Rabbit Rescue and Education Center will host its fourth annual 5K Bun Run on Saturday, March 30, at the Salisbury City Park. The run begins at 10 a.m. There will be prizes for the top adult male, adult female, youth male and youth female; finishers self-report times upon crossing the finish line.

RunSBY Events

Runners from 31 states so far are planning to travel to Salisbury to participate in the RunSBY events, set for Saturday, April 6. This running festival features a marathon (26.2 miles), half marathon (13.1 miles) and 5K (3.1 miles). The marathon and half marathon start near the Salisbury City Park, and the 5K starts in Downtown Salisbury. All of the events end in Downtown Salisbury, where runners can enjoy food and drinks after completing their run. While some may be in it to beat their own times or enjoy the scenery, the marathon and half marathon courses are also certified, and the marathon course can be used as a Boston Marathon qualifier.

The Spectrum Superstars 5K Race

The Spectrum Superstars 5K Race is an inaugural 5K organized by the Lower Shore Autism Community. There will also be a noncompetitive one-mile walk. The race take place on Saturday, April 13, starting and ending at Salisbury Bible Fellowship.

Zoo Stampede 5K

The Salisbury Zoo’s annual Zoo Stampede 5K, sponsored by Vernon Powell Shoes, is set for Saturday, April 20, at 9 a.m. The race will take runners through the Salisbury Zoo and then along the Salisbury City Park’s greenway. Participants get to support the Salisbury Zoo – and you may win one of many door prizes from VP Shoes.

Places to Run

Whether there’s a race happening or not, there are plenty of great places to run in Salisbury and the surrounding area.

• Salisbury City Park – The Salisbury City Park has a 3.2-mile loop along a crushed stone path, which, from the Ben’s Red Swings parking lot, can easily be shortened to a little over a mile or about 2.2 miles, depending which direction you go. There are also mountain bike paths in the Salisbury City Park located west of the Salisbury Zoo.
  
• Naylor Mill Forest Trail – If you’re up for a challenge, this is the hilliest place to run in Salisbury. The Naylor Mill Forest Trail is a singletrack mountain bike trail that takes runners up and down through the woods. To get to this trail, enter the Henry S. Parker Athletic Complex and go straight. The entrance is on your left (you will need to park to the right).
• Pemberton Park – If you enjoy running on trails but don’t want the ups and downs of Naylor Mill, check out the trails of Pemberton Park.
• Downtown Salisbury – Run alongside the Wicomico River or on the streets or sidewalks of Downtown Salisbury. You’ll be within walking distance of plenty of places for a post-run meal, too!

Vanessa Junkin is the marketing and outreach manager for the City of Salisbury’s Arts, Business and Culture Department and president of the Eastern Shore Running Club.