When we think of festivals, we often think of standing tall, soaking up the sun, and grazing on fatty, sugary foods. But parts of the annual festivals are specifically designed to get you moving and thinking about your health and well-being. So whether you’re ready to run a full 10K or outdoor yoga is faster, read on for opportunities to focus on fitness.

Fitness among the flowers
Lilac Festival, Saturday May 14 and Sunday May 15
In addition to the annual 5K and 10K races (aka Lilac Run on May 22), Lilac Festival offerings this year also include fitness classes and a health and wellness exhibit. Paid classes will take place in eight different Flower Fitness zones across Highland Park and will include Barre, Yoga, Rowing, High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), Bootcamp, Dance Fitness, Cycling, pilates and T’ai Chi, offered 9 a.m. to 1:40 p.m. by Spoke Cycle and Fitness, Burn Boot Camp, M/Body, Spenga, FLX Mobility+Performance, Hikyoga, the Rochester T’ai Chi Ch’uan Center and the JCC. Don’t be afraid to really sweat it out – between the scents of lilacs and frying, you’ll have scent blanket for the rest of your visit. A Flower Fitness day pass is $38 and gives you access to your choice of classes at 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, and 1 p.m.

The special events tent will be open with information and products on nutrition and wellness, fitness equipment, salon and day spa services, weight loss, personal development, and more from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Free entry. Visit rocksterevents.com/lilac-festival for more information and to register.

Race with your best friend
The Fast & the Furriest, Saturday June 4
A centerpiece of this annual pet festival is its 5K and 10K walk with your pooch, which includes a virtual option for those unable to attend in person. Registration opens at 7 a.m., 10k starts at 8 a.m. and 5k starts at 8:15 a.m. Participation costs $25-$30 with proceeds benefiting Rochester Animal Services, 184 Verona St. vsas.org

Prepare the mountain and the woods
Adirondack Mountain Club Outdoor Expo, Saturday, June 11, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
This event has been specifically designed for people who enjoy a certain level of outdoor exertion. Although there are a number of hiking and orientation events during the Expo, much of the event is focused on education. Demonstrations and workshops offer best practices and tips for backpacking, canoeing, kayaking, backpacking and camping. There will also be sessions on some related but practical skills, such as treating water before drinking it, cooking outdoors, tying knots and, well, doing what bears do in the woods. Hopefully the latter isn’t a live demo. Meet at Mendon Ponds Park Beach, Douglas Road, Mendon. Free entry. gvc-adk.org.

An artistic race along the river
Corn Hill 5K, Sunday, July 10, 9 a.m.
An annual component of the Corn Hill Arts Festival, this 5km route takes runners along the shaded Genesee River, starting in the Corn Hill neighborhood and past the University of Rochester, through downtown and along the river. Beautification work is currently underway on the edge of the river, but we are crossing our fingers that heavy machinery will be a distant memory by the summer heat waves. Registration is $30 before May 31 and $35 after. cornhillartsfestival.com

Rebecca Rafferty is the editor of CITY. She can be reached at [email protected]