Three chances to catch some fresh 2026 air while in community with others will take place on New Year’s Day.
Various organizations in town will host a run, hike and bike ride on Thursday, Jan. 1. All are free and open to the public, and none require registration.
As of the National Weather Service’s forecast Tuesday afternoon, the weather Thursday is expected to be mostly cloudy with calm winds. The forecast high is 40° and the low is 29°.
• All ages are welcome to run, walk or operate wheelchairs, strollers, walkers and other mobility devices at a New Year’s Day run in downtown Lawrence. One-mile and 5K options are available.
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“Running for the Hill of It,” a noncompetitive women’s running group, organizes the annual event with Ad Astra Running. Participants will meet at 9 a.m. Thursday at the store, 835 Massachusetts St.
Following the run, Ad Astra Running will hold will offer free refreshments, including cookies, bananas, coffee, cocoa, orange juice and mimosas, according to the event page.
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• Clinton State Park joins other Kansas state parks in a national initiative to host an annual New Year’s Day community hike.
Participants in Lawrence this year will travel the Prairieview Nature Trail in Clinton Stake Park. The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks website says the 1.5 mile hike is moderate in difficulty.
“Along the hike, participants can expect to see various wildlife, landscape views of Clinton Lake and the newly added Storybook Trail,” according to the website. “The hike is perfect for beginners with minimal elevation gain through native prairie fields that have a well-established path to follow. The trail has multiple points to break off and explore but follow the hike guide if you wish to find out ‘Where Butterflies Grow.’”
Leashed pets are welcome.
The hike is scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday, beginning at the swim beach parking lot.
• The Lawrence Mountain Bike Club invites the community to join its annual New Year’s Day Ride on the River Levee Trail in North Lawrence.
It’s one of the club’s oldest traditions, according to a Facebook event page. Organizers said the ride is beginner-friendly, so any bike is welcome, but they recommend mountain bikes or gravel bikes with medium to wide tires.
The ride is scheduled for noon Thursday, beginning at the levee trail parking lot at Second and Locust streets. Check the bike club’s Facebook page for updates.
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Maya Hodison (she/her), equity reporter, can be reached at mhodison@lawrencekstimes.com. Read more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.
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Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
