SUN 7/4
It’s official — two-thirds of Americans are now overweight. In a recent Time magazine/ABC poll, 86 percent of those surveyed blamed not enough physical exercise, and 53 percent said the government isn’t doing enough about it. No one can accuse the city of San Ramon of standing idly by. This weekend’s Run San Ramon, in San Ramon Central Park (12501 Alcosta Blvd.), offers three options for patriotic exercise: 3K walk, 5K run/walk, and 10K run. With age divisions from 5 to 85-plus and a special rate for families, there’s something for everyone on this paved looping course. You don’t have to live in the city to run, but the mayor’s cup goes to the winning male and female residents. Registration starts at 7 a.m., the 3K and 5K kicks off at 8:30 a.m., and the 10K at 8:45 a.m. There will be refreshments and awards afterward, and stay for the Star Spangled Spectacular from 5 to 10 p.m.! Entry fee (includes T-shirt): $17-$25. Preregister at Active.com — Annika Dukes
Credits: Al Cameron
7/1-7/5
Insecti-wha?
More o’ flora
Depending on the tribal language, the Native American word “siskiyou” means either “six stones,” “land of a million little hills,” or “bob-tailed horse.” You’re likely to see a whole lot more of what nature has to offer on the UC Berkeley Botanical Garden’s Summer Wildflower Field Trip . The five-day excursion takes participants to the Siskiyou Mountains on the Oregon-California border, where they’ll find insectivorous cobra plants, weeping spruce, and ladyslipper orchids. $225 ($205 for members), which doesn’t include transportation and lodging. BotanicalGarden.Berkeley.edu — Stefanie Kalem
TUE 7/6
Googoothlon
Decathlons were just the beginning — nowadays you can extreme yourself silly with Adventure Racing. The Big Blue Adventure Series , for example, comprises multisport races and events in which teams and individuals compete in any combination of kayaking, canoeing, “riverteering,” mountain biking, trail running, high ropes skills, orienteering, skiing, snowshoeing, avalanche transceiver training (devices designed to help find people buried by an avalanche), and other disciplines, all in breathtaking natural settings. Tuesday at REI (1338 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley), Big Blue creator and race director Todd Jackson will introduce interested iron men and women to the sport, covering gear, team dynamics, nutrition, training resources, and local one-day races that can get you started this summer. And there will be door prizes! 7 p.m., free. Call 510-527-4140. — Stefanie Kalem
