BEST CHARITABLE EVENT

Fat Ass 5k

The Fat Ass charity run has exploded since the inaugural event in 2008, when fewer than 300 runners completed the five-kilometer course in times that ranged from 20 minutes, four seconds to more than 54 minutes. Both the pace and participation has increased substantially, with thousands of runners turning out each spring for the race and a big party downtown that features beer, donuts, ice cream and music. Best of all, scores of charities ranging from the Salvation Army to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum have received more than $525,000 from the event over the years. Runner-up: Festival of Trees