As we turn the calendar to September, we are bombarded with back to school lists, work meetings, cooler temperatures, and the (dreaded?) pumpkin spice latte. Summer vacations and lazy days with our family are replaced by stricter routines and a mad dash towards the holiday season. Time to pull out the sweaters and button up the house.
Can we apply the brakes for just a moment?
Fall is still a great time of year to enjoy family and friends in the great outdoors. Many studies have shown the importance of spending time in nature. An article by Kevin Loria of the Business Insider writes, “Being outside can improve memory, fight depression, and lower blood pressure,” and he goes on to detail 12 reasons why getting outside improves our overall health.
Science-backed research has shown that nature walks improve short-term memory. Just being outside reduces stress and inflammation, eliminates fatigue and helps to fight depression and anxiety.
All really great reasons to spend time outside.
The Capital District offers a huge variety of activities throughout the fall season. You are sure to find something that appeals to every age, ability and interest. Fairs, festivals, and runs abound in September and October. Your local newspaper and online calendars and community event pages are great places to stay up to date on all that is happening in your area.
The Colonie Youth Center is hosting its 16th Annual Crossings 5K Challenge & Kids Runs on Sunday, Sept. 29 at the Rudy A. Ciccotti Family Recreation Center in Colonie. You can pre-register at www.colonieyouthcenter.org or at the Ciccotti Center.
The event offers a 5K Run/Walk, a Kids Competitive 1-mile and a Kids Fun Run. Packet pickup and day of registration opens at 8 a.m. with the 5K starting at 9:30 a.m. The Kids races follow at approximately 10:15 a.m. with all registered children receiving a participation medal.
The event will also feature a Kids Zone complete with arts, crafts, games, hair-chalking, snacks and more. Refreshments, sponsor tables and award ceremony round out the morning.
Awards for the 5K will be given out to the overall top three and the top three finishers in each age group. For the 1-mile, awards will be given to the top three boys and girls. Music and Chrono track B-Tag timing will be provided by ARE Event Productions.
Please join our Presenting Sponsor, Three Buckets Wealth Management and all of our generous sponsors as we raise money for the CYC Scholarship Fund, assisting lower-income families with the cost of childcare and health and wellness programming.
Follow and like @cyc5kchallenge on Facebook for updates. For additional details, please call the CYC administrative office Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at 518-438-9596.
In the meantime, get outside and enjoy the wonders and beauty of fall. It does a mind and a body good.
Donna Cramer-Sharer
Community Relations Manager
Colonie Youth Center, Inc.
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