On running: Plenty of chances in best time of year

Except for the unrelenting rabbit-brush pollen in the air, it's the best time of the year for running here in Carson City. There are dozens of events to choose from and the weather has cooled enough to allow for some training at this time of day.

The fast times posted at the Journal Jog last week hosted by a Reno newspaper display how cool weather can improve performance, as that race went off in about 45 degree weather and more than 15 runners broke 30 minutes for 8 kilometers. I ran the Bobby Crim 10 Miler in Lansing, Mich., in August in 77 degree weather combined with 87 percent humidity dreaming about the pleasant days we'll experience this fall - all to no avail as I wilted after about 30 minutes.

One under-rated aspect of this season is the tremendous opportunities for spectators during autumn. Almost every school's cross-country team is in action and, in my opinion, the finish of a prep cross country race can be every bit as exciting as a nail biter football game. Almost everyone in town knows a student on a cross country team, so make it a point to get out to a meet and cheer on the next generation of runners. I've got Oct. 18 circled on the calendar to see some of my friends' sons and daughters run for Eagle Valley in the league championship at Centennial Park.

Here are some of the events I'll be gearing up for:

Lake Tahoe Marathon events - In 1996, I was a young cub reporter for the Truckee newspaper and remember covering a new, relatively small event called the Lake Tahoe Marathon organized by Les Wright of South Tahoe. Today, the marathon has grown into a series of events over six days with something for everyone, including running, walking, paddling, kayaking, cycling, and even extreme golf.

It's best to peruse the menu of events located at www.laketahoemarathon.com to see what you might be interested in entering. The 10-kilometer, half-marathon, and marathon runs are on Sept. 30; the five-kilometer run is Oct. 1 if you still have some energy left over.

As it's a major destination race, be prepared for some pricey entry fees, especially if you wait until the last moment to enter. As of now, it's $100 to enter the marathon and $85 to enter the half on-line.

Of course, you can recoup that money if you are the first runner across the line to claim the $1,000 first-place purse.

Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Race for the Cure - If you want to record a fast five-kilometer time while supporting the fight against breast cancer, aim to run in the Race for the Cure Oct. 1 in Reno. The race starts at the IGT Headquarters at 8 a.m. and runs through the flat corporate neighborhood around IGT on paved roads; there will be more than 3,000 runners with dozens of men and women running under 20 minutes.

Entry fees are $30 and runners can enter online or in-person at the New Balance Store in Del Monte Plaza in Reno Sept. 28-30.

Even if you don't record your personal best, there's no reason to get upset.

An event like the Komen race puts a perspective on running times; worrying about how long it takes to cover 3.1 miles is pretty trivial in the scheme of things when there are hundreds of people in our community battling serious health conditions like cancer.

Kokanee Trail Runs - If you are looking for a scenic trail race for a reasonable entry fee, head toward Taylor Creek Snow Park near Fallen Leaf Lake on Oct. 8 for the Kokanee Salmon Festival of trail runs that includes five-kilometer, 10-kilometer and half-marathon runs. The half-marathon is the 2006 Road Runners Club of America Western Region Trail Half-Marathon Championship, so the top man and woman in the race will receive RRCA Western Regional Championship awards in addition to the hand-crafted awards that go to the top three in each division of each race. Also, a pair of Montrail shoes will go to the first-place man and woman in each race.

Entry fees are now $35 for the half-marathon and $30 for the five- and 10-kilometer runs, but subtract $5 if you are a member of the Carson City Sagebrush Stompers or the Tahoe Mountain Milers. Runners can enter online at www.tahoemtnmilers.org or on Oct. 1 at Camp Richardson noon to 4 p.m. or on race day.

If you are in shape and want to go for an all-time record at the Kokanee runs, they are listed below - there are some gifted runners you will have to knock off, like former Chico State steeplechaser Dominique Westlake and Pacific Association ultra-running champion Mary Coordt.

Five-kilometer records: Men's Open, Westlake, 17:35; Men's Masters, Tom Sullivan, 20:15; Women's Open, Amber Ramos, 20:36; Women's Masters, Ellen Lucas, 20:48.

10-kilometer records: Men's Open, Westlake, 36:02; Men's Masters, Brian Davis, 39:06; Women's Open, Katie Gengler, 41:54; Women's Masters, Terry Adams-Schmidt, 43:33.

Half-Marathon records: Men's Open, Rich Hanna, 1:22:05; Men's Masters, Adam Rhoads, 1:31:20; Women's Open, Mary Coordt, 1:30:31; Women's Masters, Tina Ure, 1:42:24.