Southeast
Corktown Races, Detroit, March 16

The United Irish Societies' 21st-annual celebration offers a four-mile run and 1.5-mile walk, both starting at 1 p.m. at Tiger Stadium. There's also a quarter-mile run/walk for kids 12 and under. Runners dress in green and often paint shamrocks on their faces, hands, even fingernails. Detroit's St. Patrick's Day parade follows. Proceeds go to St. Patrick's Food Programs. Race headquarters is at Michigan Avenue and Cochrane. For more information, phone (248) 544-9099 or visit www.motorcitystriders.com -CDM

Shillelagh 4-Mile Run/Walk, Flushing, March 22

You don't need a Shillelagh (leprechaun's walking stick) to run this 14th-annual four-miler, but you might want to bring a sweatshirt. Race starts from Flushing High at noon and finishes at the corner of Cherry and Main streets. "We try to do something special with the t-shirt," says Anne Gault of Riverbend Striders, which coordinates the race. Phone (810) 659-6493 or register online at www.gaultracemanagement.com - CDM

Roads Ends 5-Mile, Pinckney, April 26

"Don't be fooled by the distance; this is a seriously tough run," warns/ invites the run's website, www.trailmarathon.com. Race takes place on hilly, rugged trails in Pinckney Recreation Area starting at 2:30 p.m. Race-day registration from 12:30- 2:15. Phone Running Fit at (734) 769- 5016 or visit site. -CDM

Running Fit Trail Half-Marathon and Marathon, Pinckney, April 27

Both courses are beautiful, brutal and long. Race founder Randy Step warns wimps they need not apply -- they can but they wouldn't be happy. And to placate those who complain later that the course must be long, he makes sure they're right. The half-marathon through the Pinckney State Recreation Area is more like 13.5 miles and since the marathon is a double loop, figure it at 27. Step saves the best for last, with a killer switchback-cum-mountain near the end. More than 100 in the marathon, more than 1,000 in the half. Call (248) 347-4568, or e- mail www.tami@runningfit.com -TH

West Bloomfield Half-Marathon, April 27

West Bloomfield Parks and Recreation presents its 27th-annual 13.1- miler plus a 5K, both starting from the high school at Green and Orchard Lake roads, and traversing a challenging, hilly course. The 5K begins at 10:30 a.m., the half-marathon at 12:45 p.m. An 11:30 kids fun run is held on the school track. Visit www.runmichigan.com or call (248) 738-2500. Ask for extension 220 to volunteer help. -CDM

Dexter - Ann Arbor Run, May 31 - June 1

What started as a 15-mile run between cities 30 years ago has grown into a two-day festival. There's a kids run plus health and fitness expo Saturday, plus 5K, 10K and half-marathon (the latter including two- person relays) Sunday. Runs finish on Main Street, where pariticipants can enjoy the Taste of Ann Arbor Festival. Phone race director Lew Kidder at (734) 662-1000 or register online at www.dexterannarborrun - CDM

Galyan's Northville Solstice Run, June 21

Northville Parks and Recreation is coordinating this new 5K, which starts with a 7:45 a.m. kids run followed by the adults' race at 8:15. Starts at Ford Field on Griswold Street and travels through downtown Northville. Phone (248) 349-0203 or visit www.northvilleparksandrec.org -CDM

Race for the Cure(r), Detroit, June 21

Michigan's largest foot race, one of a worldwide series sponsored by the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, attracted 25,000 participants last year, and raised close to $925,000 to combat cancer. The 12th-annual event, taking place in Detroit's mid-town stadium area, starts with an 8 a.m. survivor-memorial ceremony, followed by a 5K at 9 and one-miler at 9:15. There are also activities for children. Phone (800) 527-6266 or visit www.karmanos.org/raceforthecuredetroit -CDM

Southwest
Spectrum Health Irish Jig 5K, East Grand Rapids, March 15

West Michigan's traditional race-season kickoff has a new course for its 20th edition, starting and ending at East Grand Rapids Middle School. Gun sounds at 9 a.m. Last year's Jig drew close to 2,800 runners, most wearing green and some dressed as leprechauns. There's a $3,400 pot o' gold in prizes for the speedy, Irish-style fellowship and shenanigans for all. Phone Robin Zuiderveen at (616) 391-1514 or visit www.spectrum-health.org -SS

Channel to Channel 20K, Whitehall/Montague, April 5

Why run 12.4 miles around White Lake, from the south side of its entry into Lake Michigan to the north side, when it's shorter to swim across it? You'd freeze, for one thing. Plus you'd miss out on a challenging lakeside route. This 17th-annual favorite is a great tune-up for the River Bank 25K in Grand Rapids, should you choose. Phone Ron Blamer at (231) 894-2239, or visit www.channeltochannel.com -SS

Striders Saturday Classic, Grandville, April 19

Fourth-annual 10-miler offers a rolling out-and-back course on country roads, 90-percent paved, 10-percent gravel, quality shirts and awards, plus a good River Bank Run tune-up. Phone Steve Webster at (616) 261-9706 or visit www.stridersrun.com -SS

Borgess Run for the Health of It, Kalamazoo, April 25-26

This 24th-annual celebration features a Friday night expo, fun run for kids and Motivational Mile for persons marking health-related victories, rehab or lifestyle changes. Saturday morning brings the National City Half-Marathon, 5K run, 5K judged race-walk and 5K walk, all starting and ending at Borgess Health and Fitness Center. Phone (269) 552- 2348 or visit www.borgessrun.com -SS

Reeds Lake Run, East Grand Rapids, June 28 It's the 25th anniversary for these 5K and 10K races, each offering prize money for top placers. If you're elite, you can run and win both (as did open champs Kyle Baker and Betsy Frens last year, plus masters queen Laurie Decker). If not, you'll still enjoy lakeside courses and race amenities. Last year, 1,180 ran the 5K, 609 the 10K. Phone (616) 949- 1750 or visit www.eastgr.org/rec_html/runindex.html -SS

Upper Peninsula
Mackinac Island Lilac Festival 10K Run/Walk, June 7

The scent of lilacs will fill the air as you race past historic landmarks and homes. Starts 9:30 a.m. at the island's school, travels downtown, then finishes with three miles along the shore. A Lil' Lilac Kids Race starts at 11 a.m. Riverbend Striders and the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau coordinate races. Phone (810) 659-6493 or register online at www.gaultracemanagement.com -CDM

Pictured Rocks Run For Shelter, Munising, June 29

The hilly 11-mile run/walk passes waterfalls, streams and Munising Bay on Lake Superior. The five-mile is less demanding, but no less scenic. Both start at 8 a.m. from Alger Centennial Arena, at Varnum and Park streets. Sponsored by the Spouse Abuse Shelter Project as a benefit for its Harbor House. Phone (906) 387-1751 or visit www.algercounty.com/ roadrace -CDM

Out of State
Churchhill Half-Marathon, Monclova, Ohio, Ma

Northwest Ohio's oldest continuing road race will hold its 36th annual running on a certified, mostly-flat course that starts and finishes at Monclova Community Center at 1 p.m. Phone Tony Bayford at (419) 472-0077 or visit www.toledoroadrunners.org -CDM

Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon and 10K, April 27

More than 5,500 runners took part in last year's 25th-annual event. Both races start and finish at Cleveland State University, with generally-flat courses run beside Lake Erie. Marathon includes a two-person relay and wheelchair competition. There's a kids race the day before. Phone (800) 467-3826 or visit www.clevelandmarathon.com -CDM

Forest City Road Races, London, Ont., May 11

Marathon, half-marathon, 10K run/racewalk, 5K run/wheelchair/fun walk and 2.5K family walk start and end at the University of Western Ontario's TD Waterhouse Stadium. The two longer races run largely on paths beside Thames River; the 10K loops London's Old North district. All raise money for the Thames Valley Children's Centre. Visit www.forestcityroadraces.org -CDM

The Great Race, Elkhart, Ind., May 26

All kinds of great races, actually - ranging from half-marathon, 10K and 5K runs, to power walks, in-line skates, bike and wheelchair races - just south of the Indiana line. Not enough? There are also basketball, dog walk, swimming, canoeing and kayaking events to keep the whole family entertained. Phone Ron Schmanske at (219) 296-5890 or visit www.thegreatrace.com -SS MR