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2013 running calendar (Skip to Cycling/Triathlons)

April

6 Operation Smile 5K Run/Walk, Randolph Park, Dublin. Check-in begins at 8 a.m.; race starts at 9 a.m. Entry fee: $20. Contact Erin Timberlake at etimberlake@radford.edu.

13 Blossom to Bottle 5K, Johnson's Orchard and Peaks of Otter Winery, Bedford County, 9 a.m. Entry fee $15. Visit www.blossomtobottle.com.

13 Mill Mountain Mayhem trail 10K, Mill Mountain Park, Roanoke, 9 a.m. Entry fee $25. Visit www.mountainjunkies.net.

Quick take: This is a challenging trail run in which racers are either going up, or going down. The good news is the race finishes with one of those downhills, in this case a screaming descent down the Star Trail.

13 Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 5K Run/Walk and 1-mile walk, downtown Roanoke. Race starts at 9 a.m. Entry fee: $30. Visit www.komenvablueridge.org/komen-race-for-the-cure/race-information.

13 Run in Rememberence 3.2-mile run, 9 a.m., Virginia Tech, Blacksburg. Visit www.recsports.vt.edu/fitness/events/32-run.

20 Blue Ridge Marathon and half-marathon, Roanoke, 7:35 a.m. Entry fee: $100 (marathon); $85 (half-marathon); $180 (marathon relay). Visit www.blueridgemarathon.com.

• In its fourth year, this race offers options for all levels of recreational runners, from those teaming up for the marathon relay to those tackling the brutal (and unofficial) double marathon.

20 Riverfront Challenge 12K and 5K, Lynchburg, 9 a.m. Entry fee: $20. Visit www.riverfrontchallenge.com.

27 Chug for the Jug 5K, Rocky Mount, 9 a.m. Entry fee: $20. Visit www.franklincountyva.gov/parks.

May

4 Down Syndrome Association of Roanoke 5K run and 1-mile walk, Vinton Farmers Market, 8 a.m. Entry fee: $20. Contact Bill Lawfield at 915-5837 or wlawfield@yahoo.com.

4 New River Trail 10K run and 5K walk, Galax, 9 a.m. Entry fee: $15. Call 276-236-3218 or visit www.galaxparks-rec.com.

4 Trail Nut 10 and half-marathon, Falling Creek Park, Bedford. Entry fee: $25. Contact Josh Gilbert at 525-9452 or visit www.mountainjunkies.net.

18 Mannathon 8K and 5K, Fallon Park, Roanoke, 9 a.m. Entry fee: $27. Contact Sara Willard at 776-8161 or ronandsara@cox.net, or visit www.mannathon.wordpress.com.

• This event to benefit the Manna Ministries food bank is among the few opportunities to race an 8K in Western Virginia. Runners not up for that distance can opt for the flat and fast 5K option.

18 Anchors Aweigh 5K, River's Edge Sports Complex (Roanoke River Greenway), Roanoke, 9 a.m. Entry fee: $20. Contact info@anchorsaweigh5K.com or visit www.anchorsaweigh5K.com.

18 CAFE 5K family fun run and 1.5-mile walk, Roanoke, 9:30 a.m. Visit www.cafe5K.org.

25 Appalachian Power Festival 5K and 10K, downtown Roanoke, 8 a.m. Entry fee: $21. Visit www.commonwealthgames.org.

• Using a lot of the Roanoke River Greenway, these courses are pretty fast, though the climb back up Jefferson Street near the finish can be a killer.

26 Tuff Strutter 5K trail race, Blue Mountain Festival Grounds, Martinsville, 9 a.m. Entry fee: $25. Visit www.roosterwalk.com

• Part of the Rooster Walk music festival, headlined this year by Leftover Salmon, the Tuff Strutter offers runners the chance to celebrate their race with great music.

June

1 Race for Open Space 5K and 3K, Green Hill Park, Roanoke County, 8:30 a.m. Entry fee: $25. Visit www.blueridgelandconservancy.org.

8 Run with Grace 5K, Patrick Henry High School, Roanoke, 8 a.m. Entry fee: $20. Visit www.runwithgrace.com.

8 Light up the Night 5K, downtown Roanoke, 8:30 p.m. Entry fee: $30. Visit www.squaresociety.org.

• A unique opportunity for a twighlight race, the Light up the Night 5K is in its second year.

15 Color Run 5K, downtown Roanoke, 9 a.m. Entry fee: $40. Visit www.thecolorrun.com/roanoke.

• Color runs are all the rage, drawing big crowds of runners who are more into fun than speedy times.

15 Run with the Law 5K, Bissett Park, Radford, 9:30 a.m. Entry fee: $20. Contact Lt. Pete Rutzinski@radford.va.us or 731-3603. Visit http://www.active.com/running/radford-va/run-with-the-law-5k-2013

July

4 Four on the 4th 4-miler, River's Edge Sports Complex, Roanoke, 8 a.m. Visit www.fouronthe4th.com.

August

10 Health Focus/Salem Distance Run 5K and 10K, Longwood Park, Salem, 8 a.m. Entry fee: $20. Visit www.healtfocusswva.org or call 444-2925 ext. 200.

10 Helgramite Hustle 5K mud run, Smith River Sports Complex, Axton, 1 p.m. Visit www.visitmartinsville.com/Smith-River-Fest.html

• Part of the Smith River Fest.

17 Fab 5K, Green Hill Park, Roanoke County, 8 a.m. Entry fee: $15. Visit www.mountainjunkies.net.

September

6 Harvest Moon 10K, Dick and Willie Passage trail, Martinsville, 7 p.m. Entry fee: TBD. Visit www.milesinmartinsville.com.

• This small event starts in the light but finishes in the dark, so be sure to bring your own headlamp.

21 Marine Corps League 5K Mud Run, Green Hill Park, Roanoke County. Individual race 9:15 a.m., Pollywog youth jog 10:30 a.m., Team race 11:30 a.m. Entry fee: $30 individual; $150 for five-runner team. Visit www.mudrun.com.

October

5 Star City Women's 5K Run/Walk (30th anniversary race), 9 a.m. Course is in the Grandin Road area of Roanoke. The race benefits Children's Trust. For more information contact Amy Rockhill at arockhill@cox.net. Enter online or print out entry form at starcitystriders.com.

19 Into the Darkness 4-mile night trail race, Explore Park, Roanoke County, 7 p.m. Entry fee: $25. Visit www.mountainjunkies.net.

19 Bank of Fincastle Fall 5K and 10K, Central Academy Middle School, Fincastle, 9 a.m. Entry fee: $15. Call Richard Pauley at 992-1883.

• This long-running event is held on a hilly and challenging course, but still attracted more than 1,000 runners last fall, many of them youngsters. Also features a team competition.

19 Galax Autumn Days 5K, Galax, 10 a.m. (1-mile youth race starts at 9 a.m.) Entry fee: $15. Call 276-236-3218 or visit www.galaxparks-rec.com.

November

28 Drumstick Dash 5K, Roanoke, 9 a.m. Visit www.rescuemission.net/category_drumstick_dash/.

• Drawing more than 15,000 participants in 2012, this is by far the region's most popular running event. Organizers have pledged to ensure the course will actually be 5K this year, not short like last year.

28 Turkey Day 5K, Martinsville, 9 a.m. Visit www.milesinmartinsville.com.

2013 Cycling/triathlon calendar

April

7 Tri Adventure Spring Sprint triathlon, Christiansburg Aquatic Center, Christiansburg, 9 a.m. Features a 300-meter swim, 20K bike and 5K run. Entry fee: $80. Visit www.triadventure.com.

14 Angels Race Triathlon, downtown YMCA, Lynchburg, 8 a.m. Features a 300-meter swim, 25K bike and 5K run. Entry fee: $80. Visit www.setupevents.com.

24 Wednesday Night Disco Series mountain bike race number one, Mill Mountain Discovery Center, Roanoke, 6 p.m. Entry fee: $10. Visit www.wednesdaynightdisco.com.

May

4 Smith Mountain Lake Sprint Triathlon, Smith Mountain Lake State Park, 9 a.m. Features a 750-meter swim, 20K bike and 5K run. Entry fee: $70. Visit www.setupevents.com.

5 Middle Mountain Momma mountain bike race, Douthat State Park. First race starts at 9:30 a.m. Entry fee: $25. Visit www.mountainbikevirginia.com.

8 Wednesday Night Disco Series mountain bike race number two, Mill Mountain Discovery Center, Roanoke, 6 p.m. Entry fee: $10. Visit www.wednesdaynightdisco.com.

18 Alleghany Highlands Triathlon, Alleghany Highlands YMCA, Clifton Forge, 9 a.m. Features a 5K run, 2-mile paddle and 13-mile bike. Solo and team categories. Entry fee: $47 (solo); $90 team. Visit www.cliftonforgemainstreet.org.

22 Wednesday Night Disco Series mountain bike race number three, Mill Mountain Discovery Center, Roanoke, 6 p.m. Entry fee: $10. Visit www.wednesdaynightdisco.com.

19 Storming of Thunder Ridge bike ride, Jamerson Family YMCA, Lynchburg. Options of 100, 45, 75 and 27 miles. Entry fee: $50. Visit www.stormingofthunderridge.com.

June

2 Salem YMCA Sprint Triathlon, Salem YMCA, 8 a.m. Features a 300-yard swim, 15K bike and 5K run. Entry fee: $70. Visit www.setupevents.com.

8-9 Massanutten Hoo Ha mountain bike race, Massanutten Resort. Visit www.mountainbikevirginia.com.

July

13 Gran Fondo Alleghany, Clifton Forge and Covington, 8 a.m. Options include a 108-mile course, 72-mile course and 30-mile course. Entry fees: $75; $55, $35 respectively. Visit www.ahcyclingfestival.com.

• The 108-mile option includes 11,500 feet of climbing. A little stout? The 72-mile Medio Fondo offers a more reasonable 6,500 feet of elevation gain.

September

14 Claytor Lake Sprint Triathlon, Claytor Lake State Park, 8 a.m. Features a 500-meter swim; 12.5-mile bike and 5K run. Entry fee: $50. Visit www.claytorlaketriathlon.com.

14 Knights Crossing 5K cross country race, Green Hill Park, Roanoke County, 8 a.m. Entry fee: $7. Contact race director Tommy Maguire at tmaguire@rcs.k12.va.us.

• An open race gives weekend warriors the chance to run the flat and fast Green Hill Park course before the Roanoke Valley's biggest elementary, middle and high school cross country meet.

21 New River Trail Challenge Triathlon, Fosters Falls, 8:30 a.m. Features a 40-mile bike ride, 12-mile kayak and 13.1-mile run. Solo and team divisions. Entry fee: $50 for indivuals; $100 teams. Visit: www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/nrtc.shtml.

• After last year's event drew 167 racers from eight states, organizers are expecting a bigger crowd this year so are limiting the event to the first 300 registrants.
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