Recreation: Pippin's Firecracker 5K gears up for takeoff

It’s not as red, white and blue as, say, a holiday barbecue or fireworks display, but The Gulf Coast Runners Club can’t imagine Independence Day without the Pippin’s Firecracker 5K.

The group will organize and participate in the 28th running of the event, beginning on July 4 at 7 a.m. at Pippin’s Restaurant, 1390 Tamiami Trail North.

“It’s one of our bigger races, and it’s great to see a lot of our scholarship runners who are back in town come out to run this,” club president Craig Harrington said of the race, which will benefit the group’s Youth Development Fund. “But it’s also one where we get a lot of out-of-towners who are in for the holiday weekend. If they’ve done any of our other events, they call and ask, ‘Can I join you?’¤”

Members of the Gulf Coast Runners club can pre-register for $7, while non-members and race day entries cost $10 apiece. You can pick up entry forms and your race T-shirt at the Naples On the Run store — at 2128 9th Street North, or by phone at (239) 434-9786 — or by logging on to www.active.com.

The event will open with a one-mile “Fun Run” that’s free for children at 6:45.

“It’s just fun to offer something for runners to do on the holiday,” Harrington said. “You stay for something to eat afterwards, you watch the awards and you’re done by 9. They’ve done their exercise for the day and now you’re ready for the fireworks.”

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Don’t forget about the inaugural Desmoid Tumor Research Foundation 5K Run/Walk, which will be held, rain or shine, Saturday morning at 8. Registration starts at 7 at Community School of Naples, on the corner of Pine Ridge Road and Livingston Road.

Adults can sign up for a $25 donation, while children can enter for $15. There will also be prizes and a raffle to raise money for desmoid tumor research.

You can learn more at www.dtrf.org, or by calling Jennifer at (239) 784-2457 or Dana at (305) 619-0707.

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Everglades Angler/Orvis Fly Fishing Schools are a comprehensive overview to saltwater flyfishing that includes lessons on equipment, locating, seeing and catching fish, knots and leaders with an emphasis on casting.

Everglades Angler owner Capt. Mark Ward and Capt. Ken Chambers will cover the basics through advanced techniques. Tackle and lunch are provided, with each school limited to 10 students. Upcoming schools are scheduled for the following Saturdays: Aug. 5, Sept. 9, Oct. 14 and Nov. 18 at the Everglades Angler, 810 12th Ave. South in Naples.

Call (239) 262-8228 or visit www.evergladesangler.com for more information.

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The city of Naples is accepting registrations for its Fall Coed Softball League from now through Aug. 21. There are a limited number of teams allowed, so sign up to secure your companies/teams as soon as possible.

The league runs from Aug. 28 through January, with games played Mondays through Wednesdays at Fleischmann Park and Seagate Elementary at 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. Cost is $600 per team, with a mandatory captain’s meeting set for Recreational Level teams on Aug. 21 at 6:30 p.m., and at 7:30 for Recreational Plus teams at Fleischmann Community Center. Individual players looking to join a team must attend one of the captain’s meetings.

Scorekeepers are needed; experience preferred but not necessary. Pay is $8-$10 per game.

Those interested in the league or in scorekeeping can call Isaac Fuller at (239) 213-3013.

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The Alligator Amblers chapter of the Florida Trail Association has several events planned for July, beginning with Saturday’s 15-mile bike ride along Daniels Parkway to Gateway in Fort Myers. Reservations are required, so those interested should call Frank Grieco at (239) 945-3336 or e-mail him at f9340@aol.com as soon as possible.

On Thursday, July 13, the group will hold its monthly meeting at a local restaurant, with the public encouraged to attend. Contact Regina Eberwein at (239) 592-5779 or at reginaeberwein@yahoo.com for more information.

There is an 8-mile canoe/kayak trip planned for Sunday, July 16 along Prairie Creek in Punta Gorda. Paddlers must bring their own equipment, and reservations are required. Contact Grieco for more information.

For more information on the Alligator Amblers or to learn more about several other events planned for this month, visit www.floridatrail.org.