Odds + ends for my running friends

Here's a bunch of assorted racing news, most of which appeared earlier this week on my Facebook Fan Page:

• The first annual hardCORE serious trail runner 8k will take place at the U.S. National Whitewater Center on Saturday, Feb. 20. For runners who want to get a preview of the course, there will be a practice run this Sunday (Feb. 6) at 10 a.m., weather permitting. (Please check www.usnwc.org before heading out to make sure the trails will be open.) This 8K course "contains roots, hills, rocks, uneven dirt and possibly muddy surfaces." On Feb. 20, gun time is 9 a.m.

• The Valentine's Day 5K in Denver, N.C. allows pairs -- whether they're married, dating or just friends -- to compete in a special couples division. It's on Saturday, Feb. 13, same day as the Cupid's Cup 5K in Dilworth. Worth considering if you live in the LKN area ... or just want a race with a smaller-town feel. (Thanks, Lauren Barker, for the tip!)

• Speaking of the Cupid's Cup, 5K entry fees go up $2 on Saturday, from $23 to $25. Meanwhile ... Entry fees for the Alston+Bird LLP Corporate Cup increase pretty significantly on Saturday -- from $20 to $30 for the 5K, and from $35 to $45 for the Half Marathon.

• The first Run the Creek 5K is set for Saturday, March 20. Course will traverse the rolling hills of Highland Creek, proceeds benefit my friend Scott Campbell's wonderful Garrett's Wings foundation, which supports terminally ill children and their families. (Scott lost his son to Infantile NCL in 2007.)

• Runners who are registered for the Uwharrie Mountain Run should have received an e-mail this afternoon stating that the 8-, 20- and 40-mile races scheduled for Saturday are ON. Keep your fingers crossed for reasonable conditions.

• Registration for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon -- set for 10-10-10 -- is now open.

• Race Carolina Events is now on Facebook.

• Ever wished there was a Girls on the Run-type program for boys in Charlotte? Well, your wish has come true. Spring registration is now open for Let Me Run, a boys running club that starts meeting in late March and culminates with the Right Moves for Youth Twilight 5K on May 7. Oh, and organizers are in need of coaches. For details, see the Web site.

• And finally: In the photo below, Amelia Slagle of Davidson hams it up for Runner's World Magazine after running a 3:03:47 at the Walt Disney World Marathon in Orlando on Jan 10. In the Charlotte Running Club newsletter, she's quoted as saying: "They pulled me aside at the end of the race and asked me to sign some sheet of paper and I was so delirious I had no idea what it was for. And then they ...brought me in a green room to take pics!"