And we're off to the races ...

The weather must be getting cooler. How else to explain all the choices this weekend?

If you're looking for a big race, try this one:

Hog Jog 5K

What: 5K held in conjunction with Center City Charlotte's Blues, Brews & BBQ, scheduled for Friday and Saturday.
Where: Start is on Tryon Street (near Wachovia Plaza) and the finish is on Fourth Street between Church and Tryon.
When: 8 a.m. Saturday.
Cost: $25; $30 on race day.
Of note: The course will wind through SouthEnd, Third Ward and uptown. ... The post-race party, from 8 to 10:30 a.m., will include a free kids' fun run at 9; live music; free beer and food; and a bloody Mary and screwdriver contest. ... The Childress YMCA will be open for participants to take showers. ... In its inaugural running last year, 583 participants finished with official times.
More race info: Click here. To register: Click here.

In the mood for a smaller race? Take your pick:

Tyler's Treehouse 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk, Saturday, at Olde Georgetowne Swim Club (7930 Whistlestop Road in Charlotte): The course winds through the Olde Georgetowne and Sharon Hills neighborhoods, behind the Harris YMCA off Sharon Road in the SouthPark area. 5K is at 8 a.m., Fun Run/Walk is at 9; a "post-race celebration" -- with music, food, entertainment and a pool party -- follows at 9:30. Beneficiary is Tyler's Treehouse, which funds St. Jude Children's Research Hospital's search for a cure for diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, a rare type of cancer that strikes children's brainstems. Official site: Click here.

Fall Family Festival, Saturday, at the Cornwell Center (2001 Selwyn Ave. across from Queens University): 5K run starts at 8 a.m., 5K walk starts at 8:05. There's also a 1K Fun Run/Walk at 9 a.m. Cost is $20 if registered by the end of today (Wednesday), $25 thereafter. The 1K fee is just $5. Proceeds from the race will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte. The festival itself runs from 9:30 a.m.-noon and includes face painting, a petting zoo, a rock climbing wall and much more. The Cornwell Center is part of Myers Park Baptist Church.

H.A.R.V.E.S.T. Health Fair 5K, Saturday, at the NC Research Campus & Village in Kannapolis: The race will begin at the NC Research Campus' Core Lab on Biotechnology Drive. Registration fees are $20 through tomorrow (Thursday), or $25 on race day. The health fair itself will include health screenings, a mini-farmer's market and activities for kids. If you prefer biking, there are 31- and 62-mile tour courses, plus a 5K Family Ride. Official site: Click here.

And if you want to try something completely different:

Great Urban Race, Saturday, at Fox and Hound (330 N. Tryon St. in uptown): The idea is simple: Teams of two work together to solve a series of 12 clues. One sample clue on the Web site reads "Return to the finish with a real $2 bill," while other challenges might require players to, for example, have their photo taken in front of a specific landmark. The Charlotte event is one of 20 being held nationwide in 2009. Top finishers will be invited to the national championship in New Orleans, where teams will compete for a $10,000 prize. Registration is $60 per person through Friday, $70 on race day. Start time Saturday is "High Noon. Official site: Click here.