Staten Island's Greenbelt, the network of parks and wooded trails across the middle of the borough, has a running race and two free nature programs on its calendar this week. The Fall Flat 5K Greenbelt Trail Race circles Willowbrook Lake on Saturday, Nov. 7, an adult hike explores High Rock Park on Thursday, Nov. 5, and the Greenbelt Nature Center gives over Sunday morning, Nov. 8, to owls.

Saturday, Nov. 7: the Fall Flat 5K

As its name says, the Fall Flat is the flat one. The course follows the Greenbelt's White Trail around Willowbrook Lake in Willowbrook Park, and the organizers pitch it to novice runners and walkers as well as competitive athletes. It is still a trail race: expect uneven ground, gullies, tree roots, logs, rocks, footbridges and mud, and a course that winds and turns. Overhead ribbons mark the route, and course marshals are posted along the way.

The race is based at 1 Eton Place in Willowbrook Park, and the event runs from 9 to 11 a.m. Online registration on Eventbrite is preferred and stays open until 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 6, where the entry fees are listed. Race-day registration opens at 8 a.m., which is also when bibs and race swag are handed out. Pin the bib to the front of your shirt or shorts. Spectators are welcome.

Thursday, Nov. 5: a High Rock Park hike

For a slower pace, the Greenbelt Adult Hike on Thursday, Nov. 5, runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. through High Rock Park and around Ohrbach Lake in Pouch Boy Scout Camp, timed for fall color. It starts at the High Rock gate. The hike is free with registration on Eventbrite. Wear sturdy shoes or boots and dress for the weather.

Sunday, Nov. 8: The Owls of Staten Island

From 10:30 a.m. to noon on Sunday, educators at the Greenbelt Nature Center, 700 Rockland Avenue at Brielle Avenue, teach which owls live on Staten Island and how they are adapted to hunt. Participants then dissect an owl pellet and work out what the owl ate. If the weather cooperates, the group takes a short walk on the Nature Center trail to look for owl habitat. The program is for all ages, and adults are asked to help children under 6 with the dissection. It is free with registration on Eventbrite.

Contacts

The Greenbelt Nature Center answers questions about the hike and the owl program at 718-351-3450 or naturecenter@sigreenbelt.org.

The week at a glance

High Rock Park hike: Thursday, Nov. 5, 11 a.m., free with registration. Fall Flat 5K: Saturday, Nov. 7, race-day check-in from 8 a.m., 1 Eton Place, Willowbrook Park, fees on Eventbrite. The Owls of Staten Island: Sunday, Nov. 8, 10:30 a.m., Greenbelt Nature Center, free with registration.

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