Odds + ends for my running friends

A few interesting nuggets to pass along on this very cold winter evening:

Two small rescheduled 5Ks are set for this weekend: The Frostbite 5K in Kannapolis starts at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Kannapolis YMCA (101 YMCA Drive). I'm told that while the race used to be filled with serious hills, the course has been changed this year and is now fairly flat. Registration is $20 in advance, although online signup appears to be closed. Race day registration is $30. Drop by the Y or call 704-939-9622 to get registered in advance. The Lincoln County Family YMCA 3rd Annual Jingle Bell 5K Run starts at 9 a.m. at Gaston College's Lincoln Campus (511 S. Aspen St., Lincolnton). Cost is $22 for runners 11 years and older; $10 for kids 10 and younger. E-mail jenny.drennen@ymcacharlotte.org for a registration form or details. Both events -- rescheduled from Dec. 19 due to inclement weather -- also feature a one-mile fun run. Remember: Small races are fun.

Interested in giving back by becoming a Girls on the Run coach? GOTR Charlotte is hosting a volunteer informational meeting from 6 to 7 p.m. next Thursday, Jan. 14, at the organization's office at 120 Cottage Place. Program director Jessica Otto will conduct an informal presentation on GOTR and its volunteering opportunities, explain why volunteers are important, and answer questions. Also, program founder Molly Barker will hold training sessions for new coaches this Saturday and on Saturday, Jan. 23. For information on volunteering, click here. To register for one of the training sessions (which are required in order to coach), call 704-837-0088. GOTR coaches, by the way, have been known to become heroes. I'm attending the Jan. 14 meeting, so say "hi" if you see me.

Charlotte is getting a Get Your Rear in Gear race, thanks to in large part to Sue Falco, the colorectal cancer survivor I first wrote about back in May of 2009. Registration is open for the 5K, which is scheduled to take place Saturday, March 13 at Hawthorne Park on the edge of uptown Charlotte. Certain details are still being hammered out, but it's got a page on the national Get Your Rear in Gear site, and I'm told Sue will be featured in an upcoming issue of Runner's World. There are 20 similar events scheduled for cities all over the country in 2010; each race promotes awareness about cancer and raises funds for related programs. In the coming weeks, I'll be interviewing Sue Falco about her journey.

Other features to look forward to this month on the blog: An interview with one of Charlotte's best-known race-aholics; tips on how to get ready for your first 5K and/or sprint triathlon, courtesy of a local personal trainer; and a feature on Somnio Running Shoes (a company rep fitted me for a pair today at Run For Your Life-Dilworth, and I'll go for my first run in them tomorrow).

Got other running-news tips to pass along? Or have ideas for future features? E-mail me at tjanes@charlotteobserver.com.