Odds + ends for my running friends

Several interesting nuggets to pass along on this soggy-but-otherwise-beautiful winter day:

David Klein, former publisher of now-defunct Charlotte Health & Fitness magazine, has quietly launched Race Carolina -- which is dubbing itself "the place to come for local and regional running events." At the moment, though, only one is lined up: the Adam Faulk Tanksley 5K Run on Saturday, March 27, at McAlpine Creek Park (beneficiary is Levine Children's Hospital). The site also mentions that the Frosty 5K is "Coming Soon." As many readers will recall, CHF magazine used to sponsor the Frosty 5K Series and the Summer Trail Series, totaling six annual races. The new Web site's community race calendar has potential, and there's a pace calculator similar to Runner's World's; links to Race Carolina's Facebook page and Twitter account don't seem to be working properly at the moment. I have an e-mail in to Mr. Klein and hope to get more details on what's in store for us, but he's been reticent to share information with me in the past so I don't expect a response. We'll see, though. At any rate, Race Carolina is definitely worth keeping an eye on.

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Nathan Stanford, a Huntersville runner coached by Mark Hadley (father of 13-year-old phenom Alana Hadley), overcame blustery conditions to finish second at the North Myrtle Beach Winter Run 15K Saturday. The 31-year-old ran a 54:13 -- average pace: 5:49 per mile. In an e-mail Sunday evening, he told me: "I'm still getting my legs back under me after taking a little downtime post-Richmond," where he ran a 2:43:46 (read his marathon recap here). "The wind was certainly a factor in the finishing times." As for why he drove four hours to run a tiny race, with just 111 other participants: "This is my third NMB 15K, and I chose it because (a) I believe it has great bang for your buck -- beautiful scenery, flat course, good pre- and post-race food/fun, easy registration, and plenty of hotels within walking distance of the start; and (b) because it gives my wife and me a chance to spend a quiet weekend at the beach. Selfishly I hope that this race stays small and maintains its 'hometown' feel." Meanwhile, race addict Bobby Aswell Jr. finished ninth in the same 8K, clocking a 1:01:43. But his result is a bit deceiving. On Facebook, I read that he put up this time while pushing his daughter in a jog-stroller: "Natalie was watching a movie, which stopped working about a half-mile into the race. Had to grab the PSP player from under the cover, set it on top of the baby jogger, and fix it while still trying to race!"

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The Salisbury Fire Department St. Patty's 5K will be held Saturday, March 13, at J.F. Hurley YMCA in Salisbury. All runners will receive short-sleeve technical T-shirts, and trophies will be awarded to the top three runners in each age group. Organizers plan to collect canned goods at the race for Rowan Helping Minstries, a local homeless shelter. Salisbury Rowan Runners (who are also hosting this weekend's Winter Flight 8K) are providing the timing. The run starts at 9 a.m.; walkers are welcome. Registration is $20 by March 9, $25 on race day. For more information, click here or here. (Last year's inaugural race was won by Alejandro Arreola in 17:25, followed by -- here he is again! -- Bobby Aswell Jr. [18:07].)

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