Raptor Run, Dino Dash test legs and build community on museum hills

At a glance — Fifth annual Raptor Run 5K returns to the hills around the Anniston Museum of Natural History with a mix of road and gravel to challenge local runners — Family friendly Dino Dash fun run invites younger participants to sprint past dinosaurs, snag goodie bags and soak up cheers from volunteers along the route — Pre-registration for both events ends April 3 at 4 p. m. , with race day sign-ups beginning at 7 a.

m. April 4 outside the museum ANNISTON — The hills around the Anniston Museum of Natural History will be filled with footsteps and cheers again on the first Saturday in April as runners line up for the fifth annual Raptor Run 5K and Dino Dash fun run. The event, organized by the Anniston Museums and Gardens, has grown from an early virtual race into a signature in-person community tradition.

Assistant director Sarah Woolmaker said in the making of the course, organizers walked the route runners would be taking several times to make sure it measured out and felt right. The Raptor Run starts and ends outside the Anniston Museum of Natural History, with a horn sending runners of all ages onto a challenging 3. 1-mile loop at 8 a.

m. April 4. Racers head up Museum Drive toward the Longleaf Event Center, weave through the Berman Museum parking lot, loop near the former Anniston Star building, circle Lagarde Park, then return to the museum.