Have you ever been on an action committee? I have. What's my definition of it? An action committee is a group of people who talk, talk and talk some more before they actually do anything. Yet, when they finally do take action, it's big. They change laws, erect buildings and even do fun things like sponsor marathons. For this reason, it's no surprise that the Lahaina Town Action Committee is hosting the next Maui Oceanfront Marathon.

The Maui Oceanfront Marathon has all of the markings of a well-thought-out run. Besides having the usual 26-mile trek, it also has incorporated other smaller courses. There's the 20-miler, half marathon, 5k and kids' run. In other words, the Lahaina Town Action Committee did all it could to inspire locals and tourists to lace up their Nikes and participate in their marathon. Too add to all of this, the committee also made sure the course included a lot of ocean scenery. If you participate in the Maui Oceanfront Marathon, you'll get a chance to see whales, colorful foliage and other things native to the ocean. It'll allow you to experience the great outdoors in a way you can't in many other places. However, if that doesn't turn you on, think about all of the surfers and other people at the beach. This marathon will allow you to meet an eclectic group of people.

Are you ready for a run along the beaches of Maui? If so, you still have time to sign up. The race starts on January 25, 2009. You can make running it one of your New Year's Resolutions. For more info, visit www.mauioceanfrontmarathon.com.

Are you a rebel? Do you see the world in a different way? Or maybe the way you accomplish a certain task differs from the average Joe. If so, you have a lot in common with the world famous runner Michael Johnson. He defied conventional methods of running with his own unique style, which led him down the road to success.

Michael Johnson is a native of Dallas. Born in 1967, he was the last of five children. Throughout his youth, it was obvious that Johnson was a runner. By the time he attended Baylor University, it came as no surprise that he was a track star. While there, he won a number of NCAA titles. Consequently, this early success prepped him for the future - one that would include the Olympics. Yet, unlike his predecessors, he'd get there using his own unique running style.

Most record breaking runners adhere to a certain running style. They lean forward, lift their knees high and spring ahead. However, Michael Johnson didn't do it this way. Instead, he stood upright and took very short steps. It was a controversial way of running, but ended up helping Michael Johnson break the record for the 400-meter run. Eventually, it also led him to the Olympics where he'd establish a new name for himself. What was it? He was titled the world's fastest man.

Today, Michael Johnson no longer runs, but remains in the public eye. He is a television commentator for the BBC and also writes a column for the Daily Telegraph. His work outside of the American media is unlike that of most U.S. born athletes. However, it is like Michael Johnson. Simply put, he does things his own way and always will.

I grew up in the Yorkshire Dales, one of the most beautiful areas of England. The Yorkshire Dales are famous for many things but especially for the Three Peaks Race. The Three Peaks Race is one of the longest, long-distance road races in the UK, going over three mountains - Ingleborough, Whernside and Pen-y-ghent - for more than 24 miles. In early 2009, the 55th Annual Three Peaks Race will occur, and people from all over the world will descend on the small villages of Yorkshire to participate in the race.

The race begins at Horton-in Ribblesdale. I remember going with my Dad one year when I was a little kid to see the runners set off. Thousands of runners were lined up in colorful running shorts and vests, and when they set off, it was like a herd of cattle running down the street. Apparently, the first Three Peaks race attracted only six runners. Now, it attracts a few thousand (there is a sign up ceiling of 600 though, so if you want to run in it, get your registration in early).

In Three Peaks Race history, the race is always run on a Sunday. Although in 2008, it was on a Saturday for the first time, so it will be interesting to see if they stick with the very successful Saturday race or move it back to a Sunday in 2009.

The men's record for completion of the race is 2 hours, 46 minutes and 3 seconds, which is pretty amazing for a race that is run in some areas more than 2,500 feet above sea level. Talk about thin air!

Interestingly, in 2001, the Three Peaks Race was actually cancelled because of foot-and-mouth disease among the cattle on the Yorkshire fells. Luckily, the local authorities managed to get this disease under control and hopefully it won't happen again.

Most of the runners in the Three Peaks Race are men. It's an incredibly grueling fell (mountain) race, which seems to put off a lot of women. You're running uphill for a lot of the race, over fields, mud and hills littered with rocks and, in some places, with steep drop-offs down to a nasty death below. If you love a difficult challenge though, you'll love the Three Peaks Race. You'll feel like you died when you've finished it, but a few beers in the pub afterwards will soon revive you!

California is often associated with cutting-edge technology, alternative lifestyles and glamour. As a result, it is the go-to state for up-and-coming cultural trends. Yet, what most people don't know unless they live there is that the uppermost part of California is nothing but farmlands. Yes, that's right! Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger can drive 30 minutes north and step onto fields of vegetation. For this reason, it comes as no surprise that a northern California race - the Cowtown Marathon - was named after a four-legged farm animal.

The Cowtown Marathon is hosted by California's state capitol, Sacramento. It is normally held at the end of the year when temperatures are between 60 and 80 degrees. Besides live music, this marathon also has lots of give-a-ways, prizes, charities and food. Basically, the Cowtown Marathon has all of the amenities of a well-rounded race. Yet, these things aren't the best part of it. What sets it apart from other marathons? The course. It is really easy.

Yep, you won't have to buy a special pair of Filas or Nikes to run the Cowtown Marathon. The course is flat, fast and scenic. Therefore, all you folks who've never ran a marathon before should make this your first one. This run will give you the courage to tackle bigger and more difficult races like the Boston Marathon.

So, are you ready to face off with a cow? (Okay, it won't really be a face off, just a friendly meeting.) Then, consider running the Cowtown Marathon next year. It happens just before the holidays. And who knows? You might even run into the Terminator. It'll give you a chance to say the three words he's so used to hearing - "I'll be back!"

"Have you lost all of your marbles?" This question must be the running joke hurled at all of the great people of Marblehead , Massachusetts. For this reason, it's a good thing they have a local female celebrity who is able to refute any of the negative connotation surrounding their town's name. Who is she? She is record breaking runner Shalane Flanagan.

At 27 years old, Shalane Flanagan is a slight, cross country runner who showed up big at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Besides coming in third in the 5000 meter race at the U.S. Olympic trials, she also took home a bronze medal in the 10,000 meter race. These wins were a great follow-up to her prior 2007 record-breaking runs where she set a new U.S. indoor 3000 meter record (8:33.25) and outdoor 5000 meter record (14:44.80). However, what's crazy is that these events aren't the most interesting aspect of Shalane Flanagan's life.

Shalane Flanagan was born with a rare condition that gave her an extra bone in her foot. Unaware of her condition for most of her life, she just found out about it three years ago. How? She was in excruciating pain and couldn't figure out why. After seeing a series of doctors, one correctly diagnosed her with an extra bone that happened to be tearing through a tendon. This event prevented her from competing in the year of 2006 but probably is responsible for her amazing rebound as a runner in 2007.

So what's the moral of Shalane Flanagan's story? If you come from a town with a funny name and just happen to have an extra bone in your body, you just might have the makings of a great athlete. And if you don't, you at least have a good story to tell.

Are you a little bit country? Do you enjoy hearing the twang of a banjo? Can you recite every Jeff Foxworthy joke by heart? Is the constitution the main document you swear by whenever you are in a fierce argument? Okay - some of these things might be stereotypes. People in and around the country differ in many ways. Yet, almost all of the ones in Nashville can agree that the fun run for them is the Country Music Marathon.

The Country Music Marathon is the Grand Ole Opry of the running world. Every year, the creators of this race plan it for late April. It's when the weather is warm, the Tennessee area is beautiful and people are ready for their first spring gathering. In response to this desire, the Country Music Marathon gives them it all. Big musical groups, food vendors and volunteers line up to make this marathon more like a festival. As a result, a diverse crowd shows up for it every year with sneakers in hand. And guess what? Within all of this hubbub, the Country Music Marathon finds a way to raise lots of money for charity. It is estimated that they have turned over a net $148 million to charitable organizations in the last ten years. So, as you can see, the Country Music Marathon is that fun run nobody should miss, especially if they live in the south.

Now, do you see why so many southerners are proud of their region? These folks really know how to host a marathon. It's enough to make a northerner lace up a pair of shoes and make a long trek to Tennessee. For more information on how you can run this race, visit their Website at www.cmmarathon.com.