1/28 Coyote Hills Half: & 5K, 10K. Coyote Hills Regional Park, Fremont. Experience the fun of racing on all the different kinds of trails, including dirt, paved and even wood. Age group awards to the top 3 finishers in 5 year categories. All runners will receive custom finisher medals and custom shirts (cotton and tech shirts available). For more info, go to www.brazenracing.com
1/28 The Dam Run: 5K/10K Run/walk. San Pablo Reservoir, Orinda. Spectacular views on the "Old San Pablo Dam Road" and trail, dating back to the days of stagecoaches. For more info, go to www.wolfpackevents.com
1/29 Ringing in the New Year Fun Run: Coyote Point, San Mateo. 5K run run/walk. All participants receive a t-shirt; first place male & females receive a trophy. This is a fundrasier for the Eleanor Miller Education Foundation. For more info go to www.eleanormilleref.com
2/18 Bay Breeze Half: & 5K, 10K. San Leandro Marina, Hayward Reg’l Shoreline. Flat, fast, weather-friendly courses (no dirt, all paved) follow the shoreline in an out-and-back. Runners are never very far from the Bay’s edge. All runners will receive custom finisher medals and custom shirts (cotton and tech shirts available). For more info, go to www.brazenracing.com
2/20 Presidents’ Day 5K/10K:Coyote Point, San Mateo. Flat, out/back, scenic run along Bay. 9 and under, 70 & over FREE! All finishers get Olympic-style medal. For more info, contact Sky High Events, (510) 223-5778
3/17 Whale Run/Walk:10K, 5K. Fort Bragg. An out-and-back course including 1 mile on city streets before crossing the Pudding Creek Trestle onto the Ten Mile Haul Rd. Runners/walkers will be treated to spectacular sea and sky vistas, the fresh ocean breeze and an occasional off-shore gray whale spout. The course is mostly flat on paved and gravel roads. For more info, www.soroptimistfortbraggca.org/SIFB/whalerun.html
3/18 Surgical Artistry Modesto Marathon:Downtown Modesto. A scenic tree-lined run, past Modesto Junior College’s west campus, and into the countryside viewing the beautiful Diablo Mountain Range, passing the San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge. Runners then head back toward town, finishing near the host Doubletree Hotel/Modesto Convention Center. Pre-reg.: $75 by 2/18; then $85. 3/17: $100. Fee includes chip timing, beautiful custom insulated tote bags to first 2,000 to register. This event is a Boston marathon qualifier. For more info, go to www.modestomarathon.com
1/21 Newport Beach 1st Battalion, 1st Marines Foundation Beach Challenge: Balboa Pier, Newport Beach. 9 fitness challenges, a run, many screaming Marines. Open to all fitness levels 14 & over & Kids Course for ages 6-13. For more info go to www.oneonemarines.com
2/5 Redondo Beach Super Bowl Sunday 5K/10K: Redondo Beach Seaside Lagoon. Run, walk, or stroll in the Redondo Beach Super Bowl Sunday 10K Run, 5K Run/Walk or Baby Buggy 10K. There will also be a costume contest. The start site is located at North Harbor Dr. at Beryl St. For more info, contact Spectrum Sports, (909) 399-3553 or go to www.Redondo10K.com
2/12 Los Angeles Chinatown Firecracker 5k/10k Run:Elysian Park, Los Angeles. Run thru challenging hills around Dodger Stadium. Experience the scenic vistas of downtown L.A. during the run & New Years cultural events, shops, art galleries & fine dining in Chinatown. www.firecracker10k.org
2/19 Bandit Trail Run 50K, 30K, 15K, 5K: Corriganville Park, Simi Valley. This is a TOUGH race. Make sure you are ready. For more info, go to www.bandittrailrun.com
2/25 Southland Credit Union Los Alamitos Race on the Base: Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base. 5K Run, 5K Walk, 10K Run, 10K Skate, 10K Wheelchair, 1K Mission: Kids Run, Reverse Triathlon, Jr. Reverse Triathlon. For more info, go to www.raceonthebase.com
3/18 Run for the Life of a Dog:Los Angeles. Join Team Rover Rescue and run/walk the 2012 Los Angeles Marathon as a fundraiser! Support Rover Rescue & save the lives of homeless dogs from LA County Shelters. For more info, contact Danni Dean, (310) 379-0154 or go to www.roverrescue.com.
3/24 Dole Great Race of Agoura Hills: Chumash Park, Agoura Hills. Expo will be March 22-24. Tons of food, big prizes, scenic USATF certified/sanctioned courses, chronoTrack tag timing, professionally produced, huge expo. For more info, go to www.greatraceofagoura.com
3/24 La Habra 5K/10K: Race #1 in the Quadruple Crown Race Series. La Habra. These 4 chip timed races help several charities. Upon completion of these four races, at the Plymouth race, you get a special commemorative medal & the fun of completing this set of four great races. www.QuadrupleCrown.com