Southwest

Pietro's Run Fasta Eat Pasta 5K, Grand Rapids, April 13
The 15th running of this highly-competitive 5K will feature a top-notch field, great prize money, terrific food, roses for the ladies, an interesting and challenging course, first-rate management and a rich history. This is one of Michigan's best races. It also offers a pre-race expo and pasta dinner second to none on race eve.
http://runfastaeatpasta.com

Striders Saturday Classic, Grand Rapids, April 20.
This 10-miler, in its third year, serves as a solid and picturesque tune-up for the River Bank Run three weeks later, as well as a fine time in its own right. Runners get classic embroidered golf shirts, good post-race food and nice awards. For more information, phone (616) 261-9706 or go online to
http://stridersrun.com.

Borgess Run for the Health of It, Kalamazoo, April 26 & 27.
The 23rd edition starts Friday with a Kids Fun Run and Motivational Mile. On Saturday, the National City Half-Marathon, 5K Run, 5K Judged Racewalk, and 5K Family Fitness Walk provide many venues for the fit. You can register online at
http://borgessrun.com

Triple Creek Dash, Three Rivers, May 4.
There are three events to the Triple Creek Dash: 5K and 10K runs, plus a one mile fun run. Health Trac's Shannon Hardy, who coordinates festivities, feels participation will keep growing as it's a great time for all. Phone (616) 278-8722, ext. 297.

Fifth Third River Bank Run, Grand Rapids, May 11.
The 25th anniversary of America's largest 25K road run will draw its usual elite field plus Greg Meyer, who years ago "owned" this race. The River Run is one of Michigan's "big three," along with Flint's Crim 10-miler and the Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Bank International Marathon. Race officials expect close to 9,000 participants in the 25K and 5K runs, plus the 5K walk combined. The long race will again serve as the 25K National Championships for U.S. men and women. Sponsors expect more than 60 teams to compete as well.
http://riverbankrun.com

South Central

Lundberg Farmhouse 5K, Hillsdale, March 16.
This first-time race honors longstanding running and coaching legend Bill Lundberg of Hillsdale College. Bill's name graced pages of Michigan Runner for many years as he stacked up trophies. Proceeds will go to the St. Anthony's Family Center. There will be a $5 barbecue following the race.
http://www.runningfit.com

YMCA St. Patrick's Day 5K, Jackson, March 17.
This is the second of 13 runs in the Jackson Area Race Directors Association 2002 racing calendar. The first run was JARDA's very-popular Ground Hog Gallop. The Jackson "Y" offers both a 5K run and walk, plus a kids run.
http://jacksonymca.org

Orthopaedic Rehab 8K, Jackson, April 20.
This JARDA event, which also offers a 5K walk, starts at Kuhl's Bell Tower Market at 8 a.m. Contact Bob Gilmore at rgilmore@voyager.net. If you run in at least four JARDA races, you are listed in the Jackson Citizen Patriot continually for the year and are eligible for the Phil Loomis Handicap Invitational at season's end.

Southeast

Cranbrook Runs, Bloomfield Hills, Any Sunday.
If you are taking a weekend off from the race scene, join the Cranbrook Runners for a casual Sunday run. I remember running them 20 years ago with Mike and Bob Duff, Ginny London, Bonnie Valuet, Karen Askew and health guru Dr. Joseph Arends. They meet at 8 a.m. sharp at Woodward, north of Lone Pine. The scenery is picturesque and you can also meet new friends. Call Maureen at (248) 813-9818.

20th Annual Corktown Races, Detroit, March 10.
Seeing Motor City Strider Ed Kozloff in his green leprechaun outfit is worth the price of entry to this storied St. Patrick's Day Run, put on by the United Irish Societies. It seems like the sun is always shining on the course and St. Patrick's Day Parade. The race starts at 12:30 p.m. at the old Tiger Stadium. There is a 4-mile run, a 1.5-mile walk and a quarter-mile walk. There will be clowns, bands and a lot of people in funny running costumes.
http://www.motorcitystriders.com

St. Patrick's Day Shillelagh 4 Mile, Flushing, March 16.
The O'Gaults put on a terrific event in their hometown. Starting at Flushing High School, the race meanders around the outskirts of town, then finishes near the main throughway. There are great places to quench the horrible thirst you have built up from pounding pavement. Generally, more than 1,000 runners attend the event. One of the highlights of any Gault race is the clothing given as part of the entry fee. This year, they have a long-sleeved denim shirt with a new Irish logo. See you there.
http://gaultracemanagement.com

Martian Marathon, Northville, March 23.
This popular Boston Marathon warm-up also features a half-marathon and Friday-night pasta dinner. It only costs $17 and, besides, Martian food is lighter.
http://martianmarathon.com

Race for the Cure, Detroit, April 20.
his largest race in Michigan, with entries likely to surpass 30,000, features and 5K run and walk, plus a one-mile walk. Comerica Park will host opening ceremonies starting at 8 a.m., with Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and Mrs. Carlita Kilpatrick serving as honorary co-chairs.
http://www.karmanos.org/raceforthecuredetroit/

Trail Marathon and Half Marathon, Pinckney, April 28.
Mosquitoes, frogs, branches, roots, mud, water, uphills, downhills, 2,400 of nature's best porta-johns, scratches, a double loop, falls, dirty socks, caked shoes and a great time await those who take on these legendary runs, brought to you by the crazies at Running Fit. You can also run The Road Ends, a knuckle-dragging five-miler, Saturday, April 27, that will let you increase the size of your calf muscles to the size of fungo bats. There is also a pizza-loading party the night before.
http://www.trailmarathon.com/

5th Annual Dragon Dash 8K Run and Walk, Orion Township, May 5.
Last year 160 runners and walkers took part in this event, which begins at Civic Center Park, 2525 Joslyn Rd. at 9 a.m. The course is along bike paths, residential streets and park areas around Lake Voorheis. There is also a 3/4-mile fun run and a Tot Trot to accommodate families.
http://www.oriontownship.org

Out-State

Illinois

LaSalle Bank Shamrock Shuffle 8K, Chicago, March 24.
LaSalle Bank has taken running to heart with its sponsorship of this terrific race/party/visit and the October Chicago Marathon. Shaun Creighton of Australia, who won last year's Shuffle in 22:51, is among those seeking a share of the $8,800 purse. The Underwater People will perform at the Goose Island Post-Race Party in the Chicago Hilton from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Each runner can redeem the tear-off portion of his or her bib and get two free beers (must be 21 years or older and have a valid photo ID). Admission is free for each participant and one guest with presentation of an official bib number.
http://shamrockshuffle.com

Lakeshore Marathon, Chicago, April 21.
Director Mark says he is right on target for the running of this new marathon. "We expect about 2,500 runners," he said. "Right now we have 1,500 registered, including participants from 34 states and eight foreign countries." The race, which will have an Earth Day theme, is listed as a feature event on the Earthday website,
http://www.earthday.net. What better way to celebrate the envivonment than to run through Chicago parks?
http://www.lakeshoremarathon.com

Indiana

The Great Race XVIII, Elkhart/Goshen, May 28, Elkhart/Goshen.
There's something for everyone here, with 25 events ranging from a half-marathon to dance marathon. For runners and walkers, there's the half-marathon, a 5K run and walk, 5K power walk,10K race and 10K power walk. The Great Race is a community celebration, much like the Crim in Flint. It was at this race about 15 years ago, when the difference between a three-speed and 10-speed finally got my attention. I was biking with a man 30 years my senior and he was killing me. I was pedaling my three-speed, with my tongue hanging to my crossbar, and couldn't gain on him even thought he his legs were moving half the speed of mine. The next day I went to Ypsi Cycle in Ypsilanti and picked up a 10-speed.
http://thegreatrace.net

Ohio

35th Annual Churchill's Half-Marathon, Toledo, March 10
. The race starts at 2 p.m. at the Fort Meigs School. Race director Tony Bayford tells us that those of us who expect to finish in more than 2:10 can start a half-hour early. This allows the award ceremony to be held in a timely manner. The TAC-certified course contains moderate hills but is mostly flat and fast. Churchill's has lots of awards. Open and masters awards go three deep; senior winners get special honors, and 75 age-group awards will be proportionally distributed.
http://www.toledoroadrunners.org

25th Cleveland CVS Pharmacy Marathon and 10K, Cleveland, April 28.
This year's Silver Anniversary races will award $49,500 in prize money, attracting a top-notch field. Features include a special anniversary bash, a new course, Saturday kids race and pasta dinner. This has been a great race through the years; take the word of people who have run it. They have a site for testimonials at http://www.clevelandmarathon.com/Pages/testamonials.ht ml The marathon, the two-person marathon relay and 10K are all run at the same time. Marathon president Jack Staph, an attorney who himself has run seven marathons, has been involved with this event since its inception. His hand is everywhere, guaranteeing a first-class experience.
http://www.clevelandmarathon.com

Flying Pig Marathon, Cincinnati, May 5.
The Flying Pig has added a race within a race with the Outback Steakhouse Two-Person Relay to go with their Ernst & Young Four-Person Corporate Relay and Four-Person Open Relay. There is also the Papa John's Flying Pig Five-Miler. Additional "Challenge" races--involving YMCA, city and even media teams--will make the day even more interesting. The course has been rerouted this year to make it easier. We had a great time when we went there two years ago. Cincinnati is fun and the course is interesting with its bridge crossings and finish along the Ohio River.
http://flyingpigmarathon.com

Pennsylvania

UPMC/City of Pittsburgh Marathon, Pittsburgh, May 5.
Pittsburgh is exciting, even a little bit overwhelming because of its smalltown feeling and location. But it thinks big, offering $72,000 in prize money for its assortment of races and events. The new 2002 course will start and end in the new Heinz Stadium, home of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Runners will be able to see themselves as they enter the stadium on the huge Jumbotron video screen. The race's Music By The Mile program will again feature 40-plus music acts to help keep the runners moving. The Mellon Four-Person Relay Team Competition is one of five largest in the U.S. For something even shorter, runners can choose the UPMC Health Plan 5K Run/Walk. Other attractions include a course that stays open seven hours, U.S. Airways Pacing Teams, ChampionChip electronic scoring, a free pre-race training and pre-race pasta party, the two-day fitness expo, and the Coca-Cola Great Hall at Heinz Field, offering entertainment, games and refreshments. A Children's Mini-Marathon will be held at the UPMC Sports Performance May 4.
http://www.upmc. edu/pghmarathon

Ontario

Around the Bay, Hamilton, March 24.
People have ambled around this bay now for 107 years, making it North America's oldest run. This event will give it a footprint in three centuries. Last year, more than 3,200 runners participated in either the 30K or 5K. Jennie and I went last year with cousin Dennis and had a great time. The race features $9,000 in prize money and a two-day expo, this year including appearances by Running Room owner John Stanton, Canadian Olympian Bruce Deacon, and Personal Best Health & Performance president Barrie Shepley. There will be a pasta dinner Saturday.
http://aroundthebayroadrace.com