Two outdoor activities to get moving on the first day of the new year are free and open to the public.
Ad Astra Running’s New Year’s Day Run and the 2025 First Day Hike at Clinton State Park will be hosted on Wednesday, Jan. 1 in Lawrence. Neither require registration.
• New Year’s Day Run: All are encouraged to lace up their shoes and prepare their wheels for a New Year’s Day run, hosted by Lawrence’s Ad Astra Running.
The annual event is organized by “Running for the Hill of It,” a noncompetitive women’s running group. Ellen Young, a Lawrence runner and certified running coach, created Running for the Hill of It to encourage and support those who enjoy getting active, according to a KC Running Company article about Young.
There will be 1 mile and 5K options, and all ages and people moving at different paces are welcome, the Facebook event page says.
Following the run, Ad Astra Running will have a storewide sale in addition to free refreshments, including cookies, bananas, coffee, cocoa, orange juice and mimosas, according to the event page.
The run is scheduled for 9 a.m. To begin, participants will meet at Ad Astra Running, 835 Massachusetts St.
• First Day Hike: Clinton State Park is participating along with other Kansas state parks in a national initiative to host community hikes on the first day of every new year.
This year’s trail in Lawrence is Prairieview Nature Trail, and 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 park organization will collect donations for the Lawrence Humane Society, including cat and dog food, soft dog treats, peanut butter, towels, blankets and money, according to the event page.
The hike is scheduled for 11 a.m., beginning at the Bob Mowery Disc Golf Course parking lot.
Keep an eye on the Clinton State Park Facebook page for cancellation information.
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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
