Get your kicks by getting active this fall

With only a few days left in August, autumn is pretty much looking us right in the face.

Usually, autumn is associated with cooler temperatures, and that's more or less true, though around here, it really doesn't get too chilly until November. That means we've got a couple of months here of some pretty nice weather, providing ample opportunity to get outside and get active.

Some folks will use that time to watch a few football games. Others will do some fall yard work. Both are fine activities.

But there's a couple of upcoming community activities that deserve mention, for they offer a chance for some healthy fun for local citizens young and old alike.

The first is the fall soccer season sponsored by the Blytheville Area Soccer Association. BASA provides soccer leagues for children ages 4-16, with games played every Saturday at the Blytheville Youth Sportsplex. Cost is only $30 per child, which includes a cool jersey the kids get to keep.

Registration has already been under way, with the last registration session set for Saturday, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Greater Blytheville Area Chamber of Commerce.

This will be the fourth year that our family has participated in the local soccer program. We're big fans. Soccer is a great game for its simplicity. You run. You kick. You have fun. There's not a better way to spend a Saturday morning.

I'll be coaching my son, Drew's U8 team this year. It's my third year to coach, though my first time with that age group. It should be interesting. 10-year-old Katie, meanwhile, will be moving up to the U12 division this year. With her speed and and nose for the ball, she should do great. Needless to say, we're all getting excited.

But if you're too old for soccer, but still have an urge to get out and move around this fall, mark your calendars for Oct. 17. That's the date for the inaugural Greater Blytheville Chili Cookoff 5K Walk/Run and 2-Mile Family Fun Walk. Proceeds raised will benefit the United Way.

I started doing a little running a couple of years ago, after growing weary of increasing time spent as a couch potato. I still remember the first time I tried "running" — I got about four driveways down the street before I thought I was going to die. But luckily, I stuck with it, and earlier this year, ran in my first 5K down in Marion. It was a fun day, and I've been looking forward to doing another one ever since.

This local event is the perfect opportunity for runners and walkers, new and experienced, young and old, fast and slow, to take part in a healthy autumn activity.

The event will begin and end near Great River Medical Center, with a course that will loop participants out along June Gosnell Drive to the Sportsplex. Medals will be awards to top finishers in each of several age groups. A professional timing service has been hired to make the event something runners will want to come back to each year.

With the run/walk beginning at 8 a.m., there will still be plenty of time for participants to head downtown for the Chili Cookoff, or over to the Sportsplex for some soccer action.

Registration is $20. You can register online by visiting www.racesonline.com Mail-in registrations are available any of committee member or at the United Way office.

Whether your interests are running or walking or kicking, this is a great time of the year to get outside, get active and get healthy. It won't be long before it's too cold and ugly to do any of this, so we ought to take advantage of it while we can.