Trees are just starting to turn – a bit earlier than usual – this year, and with the transition into fall comes many opportunities to get outside and revel in it while contributing to various causes.

September holds many different walk and run events, most with registration requirements. Exercise enthusiasts can be picky about their adventures or can choose several to satisfy their cravings; newcomers to exercise and/or getting out and about also have options for slower, more casual enjoyment while participating.

Upcoming events include:

Saturday, Sept. 10

5K Spud Run/Walk: The fourth annual 5K Spud Run/Walk will begin with a 3 p.m. registration, 4 p.m. start at Goerke Park, 1100 Minnesota Ave., Stevens Point. Cost is $20 per adult or buy one adult at $20 and one child age 12 and younger can run free.

The event is held as a precursor to the annual University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Spud Bowl. This is the fourth annual Spud Run, a pre-game 5K run/walk starting and finishing in the stadium with a tailgate celebration. Race registrants will receive a T-shirt, choice of a baked potato or French fries at the finish line, Point Root Beer and a ticket to the football game with all proceeds going to fund Spud Bowl scholarships.

For more information, visit athletics.uwsp.edu/sports/2014/6/6/FB_0606144655.aspx.

Color Me United: Color Me United is a two-mile run with color throwers throughout the event. It will begin at 10 a.m. at Sentry Insurance, 1800 North Point Drive, Stevens Point. Color throwers should report by 9:45 a.m.

Cost is $25 for adults, $10 for kids 5 and under and $10 for color throwers.

The event encourages participants to have fun. The untimed event includes participants being doused from head to toe in different colors at six separate locations throughout the course. Participants are encouraged to wear white – at least the shirt. The course uses the driveways and sidewalks of the Sentry Insurance campus.

Proceeds benefit the United Way of Portage County. To register or for more information, visit runsignup.com/Race/Events/WI/StevensPoint/ColorMeUnited.

Vista Royalle 5K/Walk Color Course: Vista Royalle 5K/Walk Color Course will begin at 3 p.m. with a kids’ obstacle course followed by the 5K Run/Walk at 4 p.m. at Vista Royalle Campground, 8025 Isherwood Drive, Bancroft.

Registration is $20 for adults and $15 for children ages 10 and under.

The event is for all fitness levels. All proceeds go to the H. James Kollock Memorial Fund to help support organizations that focus on Alzheimer’s disease care and support.

For more information or to register, visit www.vistaroyalle.com/Color_Run.html.

Walk for Hope: The 11th annual Walk for Hope will begin at 9 a.m. at Pfiffner Pioneer Park, 1100 Crosby Ave., Stevens Point.

The event raised nearly $4,600 in profit last year to fund local suicide prevention and mental health awareness activities including suicide prevention training for individuals and groups; local support group for those who have lost a loved one to suicide, gun-lock programs, public information campaigns, collaborating with local schools to provide suicide prevention resources to students, and providing free ongoing mental health training to mental health professionals in the community and free community presentations on various mental health topics.

For more information or to register, visit suicidepreventionportagecounty.org.

Junction City Cancer Walk: Junction City Cancer Walk will begin with registration at 6:30 p.m. with the walk starting at 7:30 p.m. at Junction City Village Park on Case Avenue in Junction City.

There is no specific cost; rather donations are suggested and accepted. All donations and profits from raffle and sales will go to the Breast Cancer Campaign at Ministry St. Michael’s Hospital, Stevens Point.

With the donation, you will receive a luminary bag to decorate to honor or support someone who is fighting or lost their fight to cancer. The bag will then will be placed on the walking path to light up the path. Basket raffle, Chinese lanterns and T-shirts will be sold to garner proceeds as well. Snacks will be provided.

For more information, call 715-343-0508.

Saturday, Sept. 17

Pointoberfest and Blubber Run: Pointoberfest and Blubber Run will begin with the race at 3 p.m. and the festival to follow from 4 to 8 p.m. at Stevens Point Brewery, 2617 Water St., Stevens Point.

Race registration fee is $25 in advance, $35 at the door (must be 21 to participate) and includes entry into the festival. Cost for the festival without running the race is $25 in advance and $30 at the door.

The day begins with the 5K Fun Run, Blubber Run, which encourages costumes. There will be a beer stop half way through. The Oktoberfest celebration includes live music and 30-plus different beers and hard ciders on hand. Those attending are encouraged to wear traditional German attire.

Proceeds will benefit Pints for Prostates for awareness of and a cure for prostate cancer. For more information, call 715-346-4100.

Walk for Water: Walk for Water will take place from 3 to 6 p.m. at Iverson Park, 4201 U.S. Highway 10, Stevens Point.

Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12. All proceeds go toward building more pump wells and improving lives in Cameroon, Africa, through clean drinking water. In 2009, Sam Dinga, a native of Cameroon, Africa, and now Stevens Point resident, lost his 40-year-old sister, MaKah Rosemary, to stomach complications due to bad drinking water. To honor his sister, and in hopes of preventing more people from suffering her fate, he started the MaKah Foundation and pledged to build 40 pump wells in the rural areas of Cameroon.

Walk for Water is a unique, noncompetitive, family-friendly event that offers participants the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of villagers in Cameroon, making their way to the river to fill an empty container and then hauling it back to the starting point.

During the event, participants will not only be walking but also carrying a container of water, just as it is done in the villages of Cameroon. Jugs will be provided, but participants can bring their own containers, especially for kids, to collect water, too. The event also includes a presentation on the 21 pump wells that have been built and plans for future wells.

For more information, call 715-252-2213.

Saturday, Sept. 24

Walk to End Alzheimer’s: Walk to End Alzheimer’s will begin with a 9 a.m. registration followed by a 10 a.m. walk start at P.J. Jacobs Junior High School, 2400 Main St., Stevens Point.

There is no specific cost for the event, but organizers ask for a minimum fundraising donation of $100 per adult and $30 per child younger than 18 years old.

The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s disease care, support and research. Held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide and 19 locations in the central region, this event calls on participants of all ages and abilities to reclaim the future for millions.

For more information, call 920-469-2110 or to register visit act.alz.org/site/TR/Walk2016/WI-GreaterWisconsin?pg=entry&fr_id=9421.

Hard Rocks Hiking Challenge: Hard Rocks Hiking Challenge will begin at 8 a.m. at Standing Rocks County Park, 7695 Standing Rock Road, Stevens Point, seven miles east of Plover/Stevens Point.

Cost is $20 through Sept. 11, then increases to $30. Online registration closes Sept. 18. To register online, visit www.activeportagecounty.com/index.cfm?action=walking.hiking.

This rocky 5.2-mile or difficult 8.3-mile noncompetitive hiking challenge sponsored by Active Portage County will allow participants to take a leaf-kicking hike during the peak of fall foliage throughout the course. The course wanders through the 524-acre park of winding trails and hilly terrain.

Comfort stops are built in along the way, and a chance to win prizes and brunch at the finish line will be provided. No strollers or pets.

For more information, call 715-344-2556.