FREEforALL Fun Runs
Free runs/walks in various locations around Albuquerque. Open to everyone!
Just as the name implies, these are fun runs that are FREE for all participants - both ARR members and non-members. The purpose of these runs is purely social and we usually mix running with food in some way. The season is a series of four events. We welcome theme ideas and hosts!
Updated 11.3.2025
2025-2026 SEASON
FUN RUN #1 - A Scavenger Hunt of Sorts!
Saturday, November 22, 2025 - 8:30 am
WHERE: Ventana Ranch Park, 10000 Universe Blvd NW
view location
THE PLAN: Groups of up to 3 runners will be given a list of items and will have between 45 and 60 minutes (walking groups will get a bit more time) to find as many items as they can. Many of the items will require you to take a picture so pair up with someone that doesn’t mind running with a phone!
DISTANCE: Flexible
Plan on running/walking around 3–5 miles total.
COST: FREE!
This is a great opportunity to get to know or reconnect with other runners, be creative, and have fun while getting in some exercise. Warm drinks and prizes at the finish. Come join us and invite your friends!
view location
THE PLAN: Groups of up to 3 runners will be given a list of items and will have between 45 and 60 minutes (walking groups will get a bit more time) to find as many items as they can. Many of the items will require you to take a picture so pair up with someone that doesn’t mind running with a phone!
DISTANCE: Flexible
Plan on running/walking around 3–5 miles total.
COST: FREE!
This is a great opportunity to get to know or reconnect with other runners, be creative, and have fun while getting in some exercise. Warm drinks and prizes at the finish. Come join us and invite your friends!
2025 SEASON
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
EVENT |
DATE |
START TIME |
DISTANCE |
LOCATION |
PJs & PBJs |
Saturday, January 11 |
8:30 am |
3.3 miles |
ABQ Academy perimeter |
Relay RePlay |
Saturday, February 8 |
8:30 am |
~3 mi per person |
Academy Hills Park |
Pi(e) Day Fun Run |
Friday, March 14 |
6:00 pm |
3.14 miles |
Flying Star Cafe - Juan Tabo |
Berta Run |
Saturday, April 5 |
CANCELED |
DUE TO SNOW |
& DANGEROUS DRIVING |
Scroll down to view details about these events!
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#1 - PJs and PBJs Fun Run/WalkSaturday, January 11, 2025
Start: 8:30 am Distance: Approximately 3.3 miles Course: Albuquerque Academy perimeter trail - one loop We invite you to run or walk in your coziest pajamas around the Albuquerque Academy! PJ outfits are definitely welcomed and encouraged, but not required if that's not your style. After the run, enjoy some assorted PBJs (peanut butter and jelly sandwiches) outdoors at the finish area.
LOCATION
Meet in Hoffmantown Church parking lot near the corner of Harper and Ventura NE. |
Participants - 14! Thank you, Shannon and Lorna, for the yummy PB&J sandwiches!
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#2 - Relay RePlay Fun Run/WalkSaturday, February 8, 2025
Start: 8:30 am Distance: Approximately 3 miles per participant Location: Academy Hills Park at Layton and Concordia NE (west off Eubank south of Academy NE) |
This Two-Person Fun Run will be done relay style with each member of the relay team running 1 mile around the park and then tagging off with their partner. Each person will run three laps total. You can treat this as a social run or run them as intervals, and if you don't have a partner we will pair you with someone.
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#3 - Pi Day Fun Run/WalkFriday, March 14, 2025
Start: 6:00 pm Distance: 3.14 miles Location: Flying Star Café, 4501 Juan Tabo NE (north of Montgomery) Come run PI and eat PIE on Pi Day!
This annual Fun Run will be held on 3/14, at 6 pm (yes, this is a weeknight run!). We will meet at the Flying Star on Juan Tabo near Montgomery to run 3.14 miles along the Bear Canyon Arroyo bike path. After the run, we will enjoy some pie! Please park in the lot behind the Flying Star, near the baseball fields. |
#4 - 17th Annual Berta Run
CANCELED DUE TO SNOWFALL AND DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS
Saturday, April 5, 2025
Start: 8:30 am
Distance: Probably 6+ miles
Location: Kathy Kirsling's Home
Start: 8:30 am
Distance: Probably 6+ miles
Location: Kathy Kirsling's Home
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Kathy always has a new course every year ... to keep you all interested in coming out to the East Mountains! There will be plenty of hills but there will also be flat sections, on paved and dirt surfaces. All good components for a nice race!
If you'd like, bring something for the post-run Pot Luck (though our host Kathy is known for providing wonderful food)!
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IMPORTANT NOTES from Kathy:
- Arrive in time for 8:15 briefing. Start is 8:30 am.
- As a courtesy to my neighbors, please park on my side of the road.
- Absolutely NO DOGS for this race, please! (They can wait for you at home.)
- Weather can be chilly 30's out here or wet, muddy, windy. Come prepared with layers and maybe a change of clothes/shoes.
2023-2024 SEASON
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PJs and PBJs Fun Run/WalkSaturday, January 6, 2024
Start: 8:30 am Distance: Approximately 3.3 miles Course: Albuquerque Academy perimeter trail - one loop We invite you to run or walk in your coziest pajamas around the Albuquerque Academy! PJ outfits are definitely welcomed and encouraged, but not required if that's not your style. After the run, enjoy some assorted PBJs (peanut butter and jelly sandwiches) outdoors at the finish area.
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LOCATION
Meet in Hoffmantown Church parking lot near the corner of Harper and Ventura NE. Park in the vicinity of the red X. |
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Pi Day Fun Run/WalkThursday, March 14, 2024
Start: 6:00 pm Distance: 3.14 miles Location: Flying Star Café, 4501 Juan Tabo NE (north of Montgomery) |
Come run PI and eat PIE on Pi Day!
This annual Fun Run will be held on 3.14, at 6 pm (yes, this is a weeknight run!). We will meet at the Flying Star on Juan Tabo near Montgomery to run 3.14 miles along the Bear Canyon Arroyo bike path. After the run, we will enjoy some pie! Please park in the lot behind the Flying Star, near the baseball fields.
This annual Fun Run will be held on 3.14, at 6 pm (yes, this is a weeknight run!). We will meet at the Flying Star on Juan Tabo near Montgomery to run 3.14 miles along the Bear Canyon Arroyo bike path. After the run, we will enjoy some pie! Please park in the lot behind the Flying Star, near the baseball fields.
16th Annual Berta Run
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I am hoping to welcome you to the 16th hosting of my Lunatic Ball!
And, of course, it will be a new course! I have to keep you all interested in coming out to the East Mountains...right?! There will be hills -- and hills -- but there will also be flat and paved and dirt. All good components for a nice race! How many miles?...not greater than seven. Bring something for the post-run Pot Luck -- or not (I try to provide plenty of food)!
The Lunatic Ball awaits you!!! Hint -- ShineDown- A Symptom of Being Human |
IMPORTANT NOTES:
- Arrive in time for 8:15 briefing. Start is 8:30
- As a courtesy to my neighbors, please park on my side of the road.
- Absolutely NO DOGS for this race, please! (They can wait for you at home.)
- Weather can be chilly 30's out here or wet, muddy, windy. Come prepared with layers and maybe a change of clothes/shoes.
2022-2023 SEASON
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Fun Run #2
Relay RePlay
Held Sunday, February 19, 2023 Location: Academy Hills Park Each member of 2-person teams ran ~1 mile around the park, and then tagged their partner...then did it all again, with each person running three laps total. Some participants were super serious, while others just enjoyed the location and camaraderie. Shannon had president-themed snacks (jelly beans, peanuts, almonds) and president-themed questions with a George Washington dollar bill as awards...plus other goodies too!
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Fun Run #3Pi(e) Day Run
Held Tuesday, March 14, 2023 Running 3.14 miles on 3.14 Flying Star Cafe Thanks to Beth Davenport for laying out the course, with a measuring wheel for total precision. Craig took the photos, and brought the post-race pies, too! The event brought out many long-time ARR members, but also included some newcomers and visitors - hope you all had FUN!
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Fun Run #4
Berta Run
Held Saturday, April 1, 2023 Home of Kathy Kirsling, Edgewood NM OKAY! Berta #15 is a Wrap! Start time was close to 8:30 am, when 16 runners headed off on the course. Weather couldn't have been any better. Cool, about 30° but minimal wind ~7 mph. A wonderful success!
The course was about 6 miles on roads and trails. Cliff Matthews was first overall finisher, and Jean Herbert was first female.
Kathy awarded many fun prizes and also had a marvelous spread of after-run food and drink, with contributions from some participants.
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2021-2022 SEASON
#4 Berta Fun Run (14th)
Saturday, April 2, 2022 - 8:30 am start - RACE BRIEF at 8:20 am
Distance TBD (~4-7 miles)
Distance TBD (~4-7 miles)
17 Berta Dr, Edgewood, NM (home of Kathy Kirsling)
This event will be held totally outside (i.e., no access to the inside of my home – thank you for understanding!)
*** Please see below for health advisory!
*** Please see below for health advisory!
Given the Health Advisory below, if you choose to stay for other activities, please bring a chair and your own meal. I will not have my usual “banquet” of food, but I will have individually wrapped treats, hot water with coffee and hot chocolate packets. We will use the driveway to gather. (Oh...hope for good weather and mild wind!) As always – PLEASE, NO DOGS!
Remember – This is the East Mountains! So come prepared for any kind of conditions: rain, snow, mud, wind. Bring hats, gloves, jackets – and blankets!
Remember – This is the East Mountains! So come prepared for any kind of conditions: rain, snow, mud, wind. Bring hats, gloves, jackets – and blankets!
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*** Health Advisory – If you have experienced any symptoms of COVID-19 (cough, loss of smell or taste, fever, aches, pains, chills, sore throat, runny nose, chest pain, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, fatigue) within 24 hours of the event not explained by an underlying condition, had close contact (less than 6 feet for more than 15 minutes) with someone who was diagnosed with COVID-19, or had a positive COVID-19 test, please do not attend this event and stay home.
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#3 Pi(e) Day Run
Monday, March 14, 2022 - 6 pm start - 3.14 miles
Flying Star Café, 4501 Juan Tabo NE (north of Montgomery)
Come run PI and eat PIE on Pi Day!
Our third event for this Fun Run season is our second annual Pi(e) Day on 3/14, at 6 pm (yes, this is a weeknight run!). We will meet at the Flying Star on Juan Tabo near Montgomery to run 3.14 miles along the Bear Canyon Arroyo
bike path. After the run, we will enjoy some pie at Flying Star. Please park in the lot behind the Flying Star, near the baseball fields.
Our third event for this Fun Run season is our second annual Pi(e) Day on 3/14, at 6 pm (yes, this is a weeknight run!). We will meet at the Flying Star on Juan Tabo near Montgomery to run 3.14 miles along the Bear Canyon Arroyo
bike path. After the run, we will enjoy some pie at Flying Star. Please park in the lot behind the Flying Star, near the baseball fields.
#2 PJs and PBJs!
Held Saturday, January 15, 2022
Location: Albuquerque Academy perimeter trail (approx 3.3 miles)
Location: Albuquerque Academy perimeter trail (approx 3.3 miles)
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This season's Event #2 invites you to run or walk in your coziest pajamas around the Albuquerque Academy! PJ outfits are definitely welcomed and encouraged, but not required if that's not your style. After the run, enjoy some assorted PBJs (peanut butter and jelly sandwiches) outdoors at the finish area.
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LOCATION
Meet in Hoffmantown Church parking lot near the corner of Harper and Ventura NE. Park in the vicinity of the red X. |
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#1 Academy Hills Two-Person Relay
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Sunday, December 5, 2021 - 8:30 am Start
Location: Academy Hills Park at Layton and Concordia (west off Eubank south of Academy NE)
Location: Academy Hills Park at Layton and Concordia (west off Eubank south of Academy NE)
Our December event will be held at Academy Hills Park at 8:30 am on Sunday, December 5th. This event will be done relay style with each member of the relay team running 1 mile around the park and then tagging off with their partner. Each person will run three laps total. You can treat this as a social run or run them as intervals, and if you don't have a partner we will pair you with someone. Afterwards we will be doing a blind taste test to see who has the best chocolate chip cookie in Albuquerque!
If you plan to participate, please email Shannon at [email protected] and let her know what pace you plan to run that day and if you have a partner.
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MAP OF ACADEMY HILLS PARK The yellow line marks the relay route of ~1 mile. Each member of a two-person team will run this route three times, alternating with their partner. We will meet and begin/end at the RED X on the map. |
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2019-2020 SEASON
Sunday, June 28, 2020 - 6:28 pm
2nd Annual Pi(e) Day Fun Run
Flying Star Cafe on Juan Tabo north of Montgomery NE
3rd Annual PJs and Pancakes!
Saturday, January 4, 2020 - 8:30 am Start
Meet at the NE corner of Hoffmantown Church parking lot at Ventura and Harper
Saturday, January 4, 2020 - 8:30 am Start
Meet at the NE corner of Hoffmantown Church parking lot at Ventura and Harper
Join the Albuquerque Road Runners on January 4 for the third installment of the FreeforAll series. The January run will be our 3rd annual PJs and Pancakes event. We'll run this race handicap-style (slower runners start first and faster runners start last) and it will be one loop around the perimeter of the Academy (approx 3.3 miles). You can roll out of bed and join us because PJs are highly encouraged! There will be prizes for the best PJs and some random drawings, as well. Afterwards we'll head to the IHOP on Paseo and Wyoming for some pancakes.
PHOTOS FROM PJs and PANCAKES
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Ugly Sweaters and Christmas Cookies!
Sunday, December 8, 2019 - 1:00 pm Start
North Domingo Baca Park
Sunday, December 8, 2019 - 1:00 pm Start
North Domingo Baca Park
Everybody loves these, right? Come out in your ugliest Christmas attire to run two laps of the North Domingo Baca Park on 8 December 2019 at 1 pm. We will meet at the dog park / park entrance which is off Wyoming at Corona (just north of Carmel). The course will be approximately 3 miles. Bring cookies to share, if you like.
Since this is not an 'official' Free4All, there will not be gift cards awarded to the winners--but the fastest runners get the best choice of cookies! Beth will have one volunteer to time; he really likes cookies, so, again, you've gotta be fast to get the best choice of cookies. If you have a non-running loved one, they are more than welcome to come--one more volunteer would be spectacular.
Since this is not an 'official' Free4All, there will not be gift cards awarded to the winners--but the fastest runners get the best choice of cookies! Beth will have one volunteer to time; he really likes cookies, so, again, you've gotta be fast to get the best choice of cookies. If you have a non-running loved one, they are more than welcome to come--one more volunteer would be spectacular.
Fritter Frenzy FREEforALL Relay
Saturday, November 2, 2019 - 8:30 am Start
Academy Hills Park
Saturday, November 2, 2019 - 8:30 am Start
Academy Hills Park
Come join the Albuquerque Road Runners (ARR) and help us kick off the winter FreeforALL series with a fun relay. Teams of two will alternate running 1 mile repeats 3x each. Times will be handicapped so that the slowest team starts first and fastest team starts last. Winner will be the first one to cross the finish line. Bring a partner or we'll pair you with someone. Prizes will be awarded!
Last year we did a donut taste-off and we'd like to continue that tradition by tasting fritters this year. After the run, help us decide who has the best fritters in the 505!
Last year we did a donut taste-off and we'd like to continue that tradition by tasting fritters this year. After the run, help us decide who has the best fritters in the 505!
2018-2019 SEASON
Berta Run - PHOTOS
Saturday, April 6, 2019
Green Dress Run - PHOTOS
Saturday, March 16, 2019
PHOTOS BY G MUIRHEAD
Pi Day Run
Thursday, March 14, 2019
6 pm Start
Start at the Village Inn on Coors
(6390 Coors Blvd NW)
Come run pi (3.14 miles) and then enjoy some pie at the Village Inn!
6 pm Start
Start at the Village Inn on Coors
(6390 Coors Blvd NW)
Come run pi (3.14 miles) and then enjoy some pie at the Village Inn!
PI DAY PHOTO
1 Mile Time Trial
Sunday, February 10, 2019
4 pm
Athlete's Edge - Westside
(formerly Bosque Running Shop)
We'll start out with a short warmup and then you get a chance to test yourself to see how fast you can run a mile. Each person runs the mile twice and we'll take your average. Special prizes for several categories!
We will meet in front of Athlete's Edge at 4 pm and walk over to the start. This event will be run on the hard-packed dirt path in the Bosque behind the shopping center at Coors and Montano NW. Afterwards we will head to the Blue Grasshopper Taproom for a celebratory meal/drink.
4 pm
Athlete's Edge - Westside
(formerly Bosque Running Shop)
We'll start out with a short warmup and then you get a chance to test yourself to see how fast you can run a mile. Each person runs the mile twice and we'll take your average. Special prizes for several categories!
We will meet in front of Athlete's Edge at 4 pm and walk over to the start. This event will be run on the hard-packed dirt path in the Bosque behind the shopping center at Coors and Montano NW. Afterwards we will head to the Blue Grasshopper Taproom for a celebratory meal/drink.
TIME TRIAL PHOTOS
PJs and Pancakes Fun Run
Saturday, January 5, 2019
8:30 am
This course consists of one loop around the perimeter of the Academy (approximately 3.3 miles) and is run handicap-style. You can run this one in your PJs! Breakfast follows at IHOP on Paseo @ Wyoming.
8:30 am
This course consists of one loop around the perimeter of the Academy (approximately 3.3 miles) and is run handicap-style. You can run this one in your PJs! Breakfast follows at IHOP on Paseo @ Wyoming.
Two-Person Relay Run
Saturday, December 1, 2018
8:30 am
Academy Hills Park
This event consisted of teams of two alternating running 1 mile repeats 3x each. Times are handicapped so that the slowest team starts first and the fastest team starts last. The winner is the first one to cross the finish line.
8:30 am
Academy Hills Park
This event consisted of teams of two alternating running 1 mile repeats 3x each. Times are handicapped so that the slowest team starts first and the fastest team starts last. The winner is the first one to cross the finish line.
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ALBUQUERQUE ROAD RUNNERS
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