Southwest
John Daly Memorial One-One Run, Kalamazoo, Jan. 1

Celebrate New Year's Day with a 2.2- or 4.4-mile run in Spring Valley Park on Mt. Olivet Road, both starting at 1 p.m. Proceeds go to the Kalamazoo Boys and Girls Club. Phone Chris Lamapen-Powell at (616) 342-5996 or visit www.GazelleSports.com -CDM

Portland Winter Run, Jan. 18

This frosty mid-winter race starts from Portland High School, 1100 Ionia Rd., at 10 a.m. The Portland Running Club-coordinated event awards Judges Cups to top male and female 5K runners. Phone Dave Hoort at (517) 647-7873 or visit www.PortlandRunningClub.homestead.com - CDM

Southeast
Arctic Challenge, Ann Arbor, Jan. 1- Apr. 1

Run an unknown number of miles on the wintery streets of Ann Arbor. This 3 month event starts January 1 and ends April 1, 2003. There is no set course to run, so the runners/walkers who design their routes with the fewest numnber of repeat roads will have an advantage. Awards after April 1. Forms are available at the Running Fit Website under "Ann Arbor Arctic Challenge." Call 734.769-5016 or email runsara@yahoo.com.

Northern Lower Peninsula
Frozen Foot Race, Traverse City, Jan. 17

This out-and-back five-miler, coordinated by the Traverse City Track Club, starts at 10 a.m. in front of Eastern Elementary School on Eastern Avenue. There's also a two-mile fitness walk. Courses are flat and fast. On Jan. 16, TCTC will offer its sixth-annual Bayshore Marathon In- Training Kickoff at Northwestern Michigan College, featuring guest speaker Francie Larrieu Smith, a five-time Olympian. Phone Chuck Bissell at (231) 929-1756 or visit www.tctrackclub.com -CDM

Bigfoot, Traverse City, Jan. 25

Running Fit presents 5K and 10K snowshoe races starting at 9 a.m. and finishing at Timberidge Nordic Center on Hammond Road at Six-Mile. Trail is varied with some hills. Snowshoes are available for entrants who lack their own. Phone Running Fit at (231) 933-9242 or visit www.runsnow.com -CDM

White Pine Stampede, Mancelona, Feb. 1

Cross-country ski races of 50K, 20K and 10K start at 9, 10 and 10:30 a.m. respectively at Mancelona High School and finish at Shanty Creek. A Junior Stampede for skiers ages 7-12 takes place Feb. 2 at Shanty Creek's Summit Village. Alden State Bank is sponsor. Phone (231) 587- 8642 or visit www.whitepinestampede.org -CDM

Subaru North American VASA, Pere Marquette State Forest, Feb. 8

Nordic-ski in white wilderness during this 27th-annual event, offering 12K, 27K and 50K races on the State Forest's VASA Trail. The 27K and 50K Classic start at 8:30 a.m., a 50K Freestyle at 9, 27K Freestyle at 9:30; and 12K Time and Touring classes, plus 27K Touring Class, at 9:50. Phone (231) 938-4400 or visit www.vasa.org. Trail-run director George Kuhn, (231) 947-6417, is a mainstay too. -CDM

Upper Peninsula
Subaru Noquemanon Ski Marathon, Ishpeming, Jan. 25

This 55K cross-country ski race, offering classical and freestyle competitions, starts at Al Quaal Recreation Area in Ishpeming and travels the Noquemanon Trail to the Superior Dome in Marquette. Course ranges from gently-rolling hills to testing climbs and exciting downhills. The Ski Hall of Fame Half-Marathon starts midway along the Trail and also finishes at the Dome. Events start at 8:45 a.m. No race- day registration. Phone (888) 578-6489 or register on-line by Jan. 22 at www.noquemanon.com -CDM

Out-of-State
Freeze Yer Gizzard Blizzard Run, International Falls, Minn., Jan. 18

What better way to defy Mother Nature? This famous 10K, held annually since 1980, has never been cancelled due to cold temperatures, however, in 1982 it was shortened to three miles due to a minus-72 degrees wind-chill factor. Phone (800) 325-5766 or visit www.intlfalls.org/ freezeyergizzard.htm -SS

HP Houston Marathon & EP 13.1 Miler, Jan. 19

Tour America's fourth-largest city on a flat course amid rowdy Texan hospitality. "Ultimate Guide to Marathons" calls this America's fastest winter marathon and second-fastest overall, third-best organized marathon and fourth-best in crowd support. Phone (713) 957-3453 or visit www.hphoustonmarathon.com -SS

Churchill's Half-Marathon, Monclova, Ohio, March 9

Northwest Ohio's oldest continuing road race will hold its 36th-annual running on a new, mostly flat and fast, certified course away from encroaching development. Prize money offered, plus open, masters, senior and age-group awards. Named for race and Toledo Road Runners Club founder Walt Churchill Jr. Starts at Monclova Primary School, 8035 Monclova Drive, Monclova, Ohio. Phone (419) 473-0077 or visit www.Toledoroadrunners.org -SS

LaSalle Bank Shamrock Shuffle, Chicago, March 23

"We were going to make it a marathon, but then it would take you longer to get to the party," say sponsors of the world's largest 8K. There's also a race expo, team competitions, 5K fitness walk and Kids Shuffle. World- class competition in world-class city with world-class fun. Visit www.shamrockshuffle.com -SS

Around the Bay 30K, Hamilton, Ont., March 30

North America's oldest road race marks its 109th anniversary. The challenging course around Hamilton's natural harbor makes a great tune-up for spring marathons and is popular with Michigan runners (Redford's Paul Aufdemberge won it recently). Includes a 5K and, new this year, three-person relay competition. Visit www.arounthebayroadrace.com -SS