Bill's Beer Run

Then there's Bill's Beer Run in October. Of the 20 or so area road races sanctioned annually by the Manasota Track Club, this is the hands-down favorite. This run was founded 14 years ago by track club member and Florida 100-mile ultra marathon record holder Bill Menard. Its purpose is to raise money for the club's operating costs and to help with the travel expenses for local track athletes. Bill's Beer Run is a five-mile race along scenic Casey Key. It's well attended (about 400 to 500 runners) and has the best post-race party around. Across the finish line await music, food and flowing kegs. Where else but at a road race can you find throngs of cheerful folks drinking beer at 9:30 in the morning?

Golf Course Runs

Running along golf courses in gated communities, especially the ones with condominiums, is a favorite routeof many runners. Condo buildings are a good place to find water fountains and clean bathrooms, and the quiet residential streets and minimal traffic are ideal. For the most part, runners are careful not to upset golfers and condo dwellers. On the rare occasion we encounter an unfriendly look or a tart, "May I help you?" as we attempt to scoot into a not-quite public restroom, we give them our best, "Well, hi, neighbor, and isn't this a nice change from driving about in my BMW?" look.

Marathon Course

The best marathon-training run in Sarasota? Probably the approximately 20-mile jaunt that separates Siesta Key and Lido Key. The course begins at the Siesta Key Pavilion, continues along Midnight Pass to Higel, goes across the north bridge and down Orange Avenue to the bayfront along U.S. 41, then heads over the Ringling Causeway to Lido Key, with the turn-around at Lido Beach. There's a little bit of everything, from scenic waterfront to quaint village vistas, and enough public restrooms to ward off untimely visits to Bush Gardens (the euphemism runners use for peeing in the bushes). Jogging past the colorful shops on St. Armands Circle is a great way to do some high-speed window shopping. And no rule says you can't stop. "When I get to St. Armands, I always stop at Kilwin's Ice Cream for my reward," says one runner.

Charity Races

Nationally-and in Sarasota-more runners are lacing up their shoes to fight debilitating diseases such as cancer and diabetes. Typically, the runner commits to a marathon or endurance event and agrees to raise a predetermined amount of money for the cause. In exchange for his fund-raising efforts, the athlete receives transportation to the event, lodging, professional coaching and nutrition advice.

These events are dear to my heart. My son Christopher enjoyed more than two years of remission made possible by the research advances largely funded by these endurance events all over the country. Locally, the Suncoast Chapter of The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of America raised $266,529 in 2001. An additional $50,000 was raised in the annual Light the Night Walk on Siesta Beach.

Chris cheered Bob and me on as we completed marathons and raised $16,000 for cancer research. Yes, the same Bob who originally scoffed at my early running efforts did what all the best husbands do when faced with a stubborn female who wouldn't take no for an answer-he joined me.

Gotta run. Both Bob and I are fundraising and training for the Suzuki Rock 'N' Roll Marathon in San Diego, California. It's time to grab my water bottle, my asthma inhaler, a couple of my friends, and we're off on another run around paradise.

If you are searching for friends to keep you company on the trails, Sarasota offers a rich selection. In addition to regularly scheduled group runs with The Manasota Track Club (Mary Lenari, 955-8060, or Jim Julian, 342-7803), you can try the Bradenton Runners Club (Alan Meyer, 761-9069). Marathon training groups meet weekly on Saturday mornings in several locations. For a complete listing of all the local training runs, visit the track club Web site at www.manasotatrackclub.org.)Walkers are welcome at most events, and anyone from the casual jogger to the serious runner can find a group to run with almost any day of the week.