WEST LEBANON — With summer on the horizon, there once again will be plenty of opportunities for new and experienced runners to participate in races throughout the Upper Valley.

Perhaps the most established avenue for participants to get involved with the region’s seasonal races is through the Western N.H. Trail Running Series, or WNHTRS.

The series began back in 2008, said P.J. Lovely, one of the group’s founders alongside Paul Coats, the late Chad Denning and Brian Currier.

“It’s been awesome ever since. It’s been grassroots — all the local recreation departments try to do it to showcase their local trails and get people out running, hiking, walking and just seeing the trails that our awesome area has to offer,” said Lovely.

Over the years, the series has helped introduce younger participants to cross country running and welcomed adults new to the sport, Lovely said.

“Nature heals all, so if you’re just starting out, you may come and not be able to run the course, but I guarantee you will feel satisfied with a little bit of time in the woods and sharing it amongst friends and similar-minded people,” said Lovely.

The Six in the Stix Trail Run, which is in its 20th year, is among the popular races within the series, Lovely said. The run, which takes place this year next Sunday at 9 a.m., begins at Newport High School.

The race will also feature three-mile and six-mile options and a surprise to celebrate the 20th anniversary.

Some other popular races include those from when the series first began such as the All Out Trail Run at Moody Park in Claremont, which is 4.61 miles in length and scheduled for Aug. 16 at 9 a.m., and the Farnum Five.5 Trail Running Race, which is about 5.5 miles, takes place at the Farnum Hill Preserve in Lebanon and is scheduled for Sept. 13 at 9 a.m.

More information about the series is available online at wnhtrs.com. All ages are welcome, and pricing is available on the website.

Lovely said that children under 15 can participate for free.

“You can sign up for all the races individually or for the whole series itself,” said Lovely.

Another way residents can get their legs moving this summer is the Upper Valley Running Series, or UVRS, which is affiliated with Upper Valley Running Club, or UVRC.

The UVRC was founded in 2011. It spawned from an existing running group of that would meet on Tuesdays for a track workout, said Geoff Dunbar, one of the founders.

They wanted to “get a group of the local road races together and let people know these are road races that the club supports,” Dunbar said.

While the UVRC does not put on the races, it lists established ones in the area as part of the UVRS, oversees scoring and provides finisher prizes for club members.

Over time, the number of races in the series has increased from four at its inception to 11 in the last few years.

“The stated goal is to encourage running and road racing in the Upper Valley,” said Dunbar.

Some upcoming races in the series include the four-mile Skip’s Run at Colburn Park in Lebanon on June 15 at 10 a.m.

Another race, the Red, White & Blue 6.2 and 5K, is scheduled for the Fourth of July at 9 a.m. and begins at North Park Street in Lebanon.

Other races in the series are available online at uppervalleyrunningclub.org/upper-valley-running-series/, along with age requirements and pricing information.

While runners can participate in these races without being part of the series, one must be a member of the UVRC to have results recognized. Series participants can earn a finisher prize for competing in six races.

Club registration is on the running club’s website. The price for the year is $20 for an individual or $35 for a household. Club members can register for the entire series at once for a 25% discount.

In addition to the series, the club offers weekly runs and workouts, along with social events.

While it is difficult to gauge the overall impact the UVRS has had on the race participation levels, Dunbar said that when races become part of the series, they usually see an increase in registered participants.

“The goal with the running series is that anyone should be welcome,” Dunbar said.

Michael Coughlin Jr. can be reached at mcoughlin@vnews.com.