This past winter has been an interesting one, with plenty of cold days, one monster snow storm in January and an Easter snowfall to cap it off.

Following all that, lots of folks are ready to get outside, stretch their legs and enjoy the company of others.

Two upcoming events will provide a ideal chance to do all that.

The first of those events is Third Thursday Fit Night.

The Third Thursday Fit Night is a run/walk held, as the name implies, on the third Thursday of the month from April through October. This Thursday will be the first one for this year.

Third Thursday Fit Night is sponsored by Brown Shoe Fit Co., 210 S. 25th St. It was started in 2014.

Craig Jarrard, the owner and manager of Brown Shoe Fit Co., said he wanted to have a run/walk fitness night and the construction of new sidewalks in the retail area in eastern Fort Dodge provided the final incentive to launch one.

To participate, go to the shoe store at 5:30 p.m. Thursday.

The designated route goes south along 25th Street from the store, east on Fifth Avenue South, north on 32nd Street and then west on 10th Avenue North to Fort Dodge Senior High School. At the high school, participants will turn around and retrace their steps back to the store. The entire route is five miles. That may seem intimidating. However, no one has to go the entire route. And everyone can go as fast or as slow as they want to. Third Thursday Fit Night is not the Olympics or the Boston Marathon. It is about getting some exercise while enjoying fresh air and good company.

The second opportunity is actually two events: on Saturday a 5K run for adults and a 1K walk for kids. Both are sponsored by the Community Health Center of Fort Dodge and Live Healthy Iowa.

The 5K and the 1K both begin at the Rosedale Rapids Aquatics Center at the 10th Avenue North and 32nd Street. The 5K starts at 8 a.m.; the 1K starts at 9 a.m.

Registration for the 5K is $30 while registration for the 1K is $5. Proceeds will benefit the Community Health Center.

We encourage everyone to pick one or more of the upcoming events, lace up their best running or walking shoes and join the fun.