In April 2009, the largest 10K in Minnesota and one of the largest in the U.S. will take place in Minneapolis. Get in Gear is in its 32nd year, and this year the event is even adding a half marathon to the 10K, 5K and 2K races to make it just that bit more exciting. Get in Gear in 2009 will be run on April 25th with the 2K Fun Run setting off at 8:15 a.m. in Minnehaha Park in downtown Minneapolis. The half marathon starts at 9 a.m. (with a three hour limit) and the 10K and 5K start at 9:30 and 9:50 a.m., so you don't even have to get up too early.

Get in Gear is billed as the annual rite of spring, but it's actually been known to be really cold (they even had snow last year on race day!). So if you're gonna run it, make sure you've got running clothes ready for both spring and winter, because, in Minnesota, it can go either way. Don't worry though, even if it's freezing, enough folks from Minneapolis will come out to cheer you on, even if they do have to wear gloves and drink hot chocolate.

Get in Gear is great because all of the proceeds from the race go to local food shelters to help the hungry, and in this economic climate, that's even more of a necessity. The goal is to raise $50,000 in 2009, which will buy a lot of loaves of bread, boxes of rice and packs of spaghetti.

Speaking of food, the day before race day, don't forget to go and pick up your race packet (including your race number and computer chip). If you're coming from out of town, you can pick them up before the race on race day, but you'll need to allow extra time. I said "speaking of food" because the packet usually includes tons of goodies such as snacks, healthy chips and last year even a box of Minute Rice too. You'll also get a nice 100-percent cotton t-shirt just for participating in the race.

Get in Gear is a lot of fun. The race is popular, the course isn't too difficult and after the race there are boatloads of food available at many food stalls in the park from noon to 8 p.m. There's also a Vendor's Village with tons of stalls to browse. Don't forget, you can also volunteer if you don't want to run. Just give the Get in Gear organizers a buzz at (612) 722-9004.

The Manhattan Beach 10K Run is a nice, hometown race in Southern California that's well worth participating in.

If you're the planning-ahead type when it comes to races, you might want to start thinking about the Manhattan Beach 10K Run. This year, the Manhattan Beach 10K will be held on October 4, 2008 and will start at 7:30 a.m. When I lived in Los Angeles, I used to run the race every year and would recommend it for any serious runner who also likes to give back to the community.

The Manhattan Beach 10K is a partnership between the race committee and the city of Manhattan Beach and the race committee donates all the race proceeds to the Manhattan Beach community (something I always loved). They fund scholarships to high school seniors, new equipment for area high schools and also provide improvements to area parks.

Another thing I really like about this race is the way they time the runners. Every runner has to have a timing chip tied to their shoe, which is activated by stepping on a mat when they begin the race. The time will then be stopped when the runner passes over a similar mat when they finish the race. The timing is incredibly accurate, but you have to make sure you wear the chip. If you don't, your time will not be counted and your name won't be included in the official results.

The cost for the Manhattan Beach 10K Run last year was $25 for early registers and $30 for late registers. Runners under 15 years old can register for $15 and $20 for late registration. The registration fee for 2008 hasn't been announced yet, but it will probably be around the same price.

The race is really fun, very laidback, with friendly volunteers and nice runners. Split times are called at each mile, and there is even on-course entertainment.

Also don't forget to check out the Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair after you've finished the race. It's not connected to the run, but it's a fun event with interesting booths, entertainment, arts and crafts, food and even a display of antique cars. After finishing the run, it's a nice place to hang out. The fair also operates the shuttles for the runners and they're nice folk too.

For more information, contact the race organizers at 310-374-2397. If you're in or near Manhattan Beach, you can also register for the race at the Village Runner store on Sepulveda Boulevard.