As the trees just begin to turn to autumn colors, there are many opportunities available to get outdoors and enjoy the scenery and in some cases also help out the community.

“The Stevens Point area has seen incredible growth in the number of charitable run-walks,” Stevens Point Convention and Visitor’s Bureau Executive Director Sara Brish said. “We are blessed to live in a four-season destination. We are noticing that no matter the weather, with the right outdoor athletic gear, we can remain active outdoors year round.”

Over the next month, this area will host three new events including Hope Starts Here 5K Oct. 9, Midnight Monster Dash Oct. 22 (into Oct. 23) and the Close the Course event Nov. 5. There are also another six run/walks scheduled during that same timeframe that will allow all ages to enjoy those last warm days and the changing of the seasons.

Amherst’s annual River Run is among them.

River Run: The Amherst River Run will begin with a Falcon Fun Run for Kids at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at Central Waters Brewing Company, 351 Allen St., Amherst. Then times are staggered for the Smile Rune, five-mile and two-mile runs that follow. Awards will be given at 11:15 a.m. with the Great Amherst Beerfest kick-off at noon, with specialty beverage releases and music.

There are about 200 slots left for the run, which guarantees entrance into the festival; the run will be capped at 1,200 participants, race director Chelsea Graham said. The only other way to gain entrance is through the Black and Gold sales, which take place the day of and are released at the festival, she said.

The River Run registration fee is $30; entrants can register at www.centralwaters.com/gabf. There is no registration the day of the event. One new item of note is that the run events are divided by age in 10-year increments, she said.

All proceeds will benefit the Lettie Jensen Center in Amherst. Funds will go toward maintenance and upkeep of the center, the youth soccer program and sponsoring live music and other entertainment events for the community.

For more information, call 715-824-5202.

Other walk/run events abound, all of which benefit Portage County communities in some way. They include:

University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) Veterans Club 5K Ruck Run/Walk: The UWSP Veterans Club 5K Ruck Run/Walk will be at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, at Schmeeckle Reserve, 2419 North Point Drive, Stevens Point.

Cost is $25 for those age 14 and older and $15 for those younger than 14. Bring a nonperishable food item for a $1 discount.

The walk goes along various paths through Schmeeckle. Signup forms can be picked up in the Veterans Club office, Room 070D in the Dreyfus University Center. Food donations go to the homeless veterans of Stevens Point.

For more information, call 262-506-4616.

Hope Starts Here 5K Walk: Hope Starts Here 5K Walk is a new event this year put on by Saint Michael’s Foundation to honor breast cancer survivors, those battling cancer now and the memories of those who died from the disease. Funds raised go to the Angel Fund, 100 percent of which goes into helping those who need financial assistance in order to have breast cancer screenings.

The event is $30 for those 10 years of age and older. It will be at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9, at Pfiffner Pioneer Park, 1100 Crosby Ave., Stevens Point. Following the walk will be family-friendly activities, food and music.

For more information, call 715-346-5349.

Moon Walk Wisconsin: The annual Moon Walk Wisconsin will take place beginning with check-in at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, along the Tomorrow River State Trail. Participants should meet at Copps, 1850 Plover Road, Plover.

Cost is $5 through Monday, Oct. 10, and $10 thereafter. Online registration is available at www.activeportagecounty.com through Sunday, Oct. 9.

Started 10 years ago, the main goal was to keep folks active through training, Brish said.

The event consists of three different lengths: a 12-mile walk that begins at 6 p.m. and a 4- or 8-mile walk, both of which begin at 7 p.m. Carved pumpkins mark the miles. Halloween costumes are welcome. There are refreshments available along the trail.

For more information, call 715-344-2556.

St. Bronislava Marathon: The St. Bronislava Marathon will begin at 8 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 16, at Woyak Park, 2381 Cedar Drive, Plover.

This Boston Marathon qualifier costs $75 for the marathon race (26.2 miles) or $65 for the half marathon (13.1 miles). The on-road course takes runners through the village of Plover and into rural country side. It is an out-and-back course that includes manned rest stops, local law enforcement, first responders and Ministry Sports Medicine.

All event proceeds support Operation Bootstrap of Portage County.

Registration is available at www.active.com, click on the marathon tab under the running section and look for St. Bron’s Marathon. For more information, call (715) 344 -4326.

Midnight Monster Dash: The inaugural Midnight Monster Dash and accompanying activities will begin at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, at Point of Discovery School, 1900 West Zinda Drive, Stevens Point. Racing begins at 9 p.m. with the mini-Monster Dash. Check-in for the Midnight Monster Dash begins at 10 p.m. and the race begins at midnight.

Cost is $30 through Friday, Oct. 7, then increases to $40. Registration is available at www.active.com.

The event is for all ages and will be Halloween themed. The evening includes pumpkin painting, face painting and costume contests. Prizes will be awarded to those with the best costumes who finish the race in costume.

Competitive runners will begin at midnight along an illuminated course that runs along the Wisconsin River, beginning and ending at the school.

Close the Course Run/Walk: Close the Course Run/Walk is a new offering this year, and the inaugural event will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, at SentryWorld Sports Center, 601 Michigan Ave. N., Stevens Point.

Cost is $25 for the 2.5-mile run/walk or $35 for the five-mile run/walk. A portion of the runner’s fees will go toward Operation Bootstrap of Portage County. Registration is available at runsignup.com/Race/WI/StevensPoint/CloseTheCourse25Kand5KRunWalks through Thursday, Nov. 3.

Runners and walkers of all ages are welcome. This will be a chip-timed event and will use cart paths, as well as walking through the parkland course. Awards will be given in age divisions by 10s. Packet pick up will be Friday, Nov. 4, from 5 to 7 p.m. or Saturday, Nov. 5, from 8 to 9:30 a.m. before the race.

For more information, call 715-345-1600.