Southeast

West Bloomfield Half-Marathon, April 18

West Bloomfield fields will be in bloom for this 28th annual spring favorite. A 5K starts at 10:30 a.m., the half-marathon at 12:45 p.m., both on a challenging, hilly course. Kids runs take place at 11:30 on the school track. Visit www.runmichigan.com/westbloomfield, or phone Marylynn Balewski at (248) 738-2500.

Fit 5K, Novi, April 28

Shake those midweek blues with this Running Fit stores-sponsored, Wednesday-night fund-raiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Starts 6:30 p.m. at the Novi Town Center, southeast corner of Novi Road and I-96. Visit www.runningfit.com or phone (248) 347-4949.

Dragon Dash 8K, Lake Orion, May 2

If you had a Dragon (nickname for Lake Orion High School teams) on your tail, you'd dash too. Starts 9 a.m. at Civic Center Park, 2525 Joslyn Rd., and covers a certified course of safety paths, parkways and neighborhood streets alongside Lake Voorheis. There's also a 3/4-mile Fun Run and Tot Trot for shorter (in distance and stature) entrants. Visit www.oriontownship.org or phone (248) 391-0304.

Southwest

Striders Saturday Classic, Grandville, April 17

Fifth-annual 10-miler offers a rolling out-and-back course on country roads, 90-percent paved and 10-percent gravel. Embroidered golf shirts shirts for all and a good tune-up for the River Bank Run in Grand Rapids three weeks hence. Visit www.stridersrun.com or phone Steve Webster at (616) 261-9706.

Borgess Run for the Health of It, Kalamazoo, April 23-24

MR and the Borgess Runs both mark their 25th anniversaries with this celebration of health and fitness. The Kids Fun Run and Motivational Mile Friday are followed by Saturday's National City Half-Marathon, 5K run, judged race-walk and just-plain walk. The 13.1-miler will be MR's 2004 title race at that distance. Visit www.borgessrun.com or phone (269) 552-2340.

Fifth Third River Bank Run 25K and 5K, Grand Rapids, May 8

More than 10,000 participants will converge on downtown Grand Rapids for the largest 25K in America, and 5K. The long run has been U.S. title race at that distance the last 10 years. The expo, crowd support, elite field and amenities are near-peerless. Michigan Runner TV will be present for this year's state 25K championship. Visit www.53riverbankrun.com or phone (616) 771-1590.

Fruitport Old-Fashioned Days 10K and 5K, May 29

Kick off Memorial Day weekend running this 23rd annual 5K or 10K on measured loop courses through scenic and hilly countryside. Both Fruitport Lions Club-sponsored races start 9:30 a.m. near the high school football field, Sixth and Beech streets. Phone (231) 865-6273.

Upper Peninsula

Great Bear Chase, Calumet, March 6 and 7

Offers 50K and 26K freestyle cross-country ski races Sunday, plus a Junior Bear Chase with separate classic and skating races for youths 16 and under Saturday, all on Swedetown Trails. Entrants get commemorative pins, t-shirts, pasties, bakery items and possibly random prizes. Visit www.keweenawtrails.com or phone (800) 338-7982. MR