And we're off to the races...

Looking for a race to run this weekend? You've got plenty of choices, and here they are:

Right Moves for Youth's Twilight 5K

What: 5K run/walk and kids fun run.
When: 7 p.m. FRIDAY.
Where: Wachovia Atrium & Plaza, 301 S. Tryon St., Center City, corner of Tryon Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Why: Proceeds benefit Right Moves for Youth, which helps Charlotte-Mecklenburg students "succeed in school, improve their quality of life, and become responsible members of society."
Cost: $20 through Thursday, $30 on race day. Fun run is $5 (for ages 12 and younger).
Of note: Right Moves for Youth development director Shannon Hames is expecting 2,800-3,000 participants. ... There'll be a raffle prior to the race via bib numbers. ... Stroller-division runners get a 90-second head start on the rest of the field. ... Hydrate WELL during the day on Friday -- the forecasted high is 86 degrees, so expect it to be near 80 at the start. ... TJ's tip: Don't go out too fast. There's a reasonably tough climb on Cedar Street around Mile 2, and a decent riser in the last few blocks (coming up Stonewall past the Stadium) that in the past have dashed the PR hopes of many. ... The first 3,000 finishers will receive finishing medals. ... George Herman's, the bar in Latta Arcade that used to host the post-race party, closed last June. This year, Hames says, "several businesses [will be] offering post-race runner discounts. There will be special coupons in the race bags." One such deal: BlackFinn American Saloon in the EpiCentre will be offering $3 domestic drafts with race bibs.
Details: Click here.

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New Balance Girls on the Run 5K

What: Noncompetitive run/jog/walk.
When: 9 a.m. Saturday.
Where: Independence Park, adjacent to King's College, near Hawthorne Lane and East Seventh Street, between the Elizabeth and Piedmont Park neighborhoods.
Why: Proceeds from this event will benefit Girls on the Run of Charlotte "so that all girls that want to participate in our program can have the opportunity."
Cost: $20 through Friday, $25 on race day. Discounts for children younger than 13 and families.
Of note: An estimated 1,000 third- through eighth-grade girls and about as many family members are expected to turn out. They have trained for the event for months to build self-esteem and improve their health, organizers say. ... This is the 11th year for the Charlotte event.
Details: Click here.

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Water For People 5K

What: 5K race/fun run/walk.
When: 9 a.m. Saturday.
Where: McAlpine Creek Greenway, 8711 Monroe Road in Charlotte.
Why: Proceeds benefit North Carolina Water For People, which "has adopted the country of Bolivia, and actively funds projects and par­ticipates in annual work trips benefiting those less fortunate in Bolivia."
Cost: $30.
Of note: The race takes place on dirt cross-country trails. Strollers are not recommended due to the terrain, but leashed pets are allowed.
Details: Click here.

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Ourboys 5K

What: 5K and 1-mile fun run.
When: 5K start is at 8 a.m. Saturday. Fun run to follow, at 9 a.m.
Where: Harris Road Middle School, 1251 Patriot Plantation Blvd., in Concord.
Why: Proceeds will be used in the fight against juvenile Batten disease, which causes blindness, seizures and learning difficulties in affected children. Eventually, sufferers lose the ability to walk, talk and even swallow.
Cost: $25; $60 for a family of four. Fun run is $10.
Of note: Race hosts are Chris and Wendy Hawkins, whose two children both are affected by the disease. For more on Batten Disease, click here. For more on the Hawkins family, click here. ... Road ID is sponsoring the race, and the Hawkinses will have some gift certificates to give away for the product. ... The course runs through Moss Creek subdivision. ... The race is in its fourth year; 150 runners participated last year.
Details: Click here.

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Lungs for Life 5K

What: 5K race.
When: 8:30 a.m. Saturday.
Where: The Mooresville Recreation department, 220 N. Maple St., in Mooresville.
Why: All funds raised will be donated to the Lung Cancer Research Foundation in New York.
Cost: $20 in advance, $30 on race day.
Of note: The inaugural race was designed by Josh Cox, a senior at Mooresville High School who organized the event for his senior project and hopes to raise money for lung cancer research. Cox has a 5K PR of 15:26 and will run at UNC Charlotte next year. ... Race T-shirts will only be available to the first 100 participants to register. ... After the race there will be live music, food and drinks.
Details: Click here.

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Powerade Tri The Rock

What: Sprint triathlon and duathlon. The swim is 500 yards in the pool, the bike is 16 miles, the run is a 5K.
When: Saturday.
Where: Rock Hill Aquatics Center, 325 Rawlinson Road, in Rock Hill.
Cost: $60 for USAT members (same price for duathlon or triathlon); $70 for nonmembers. Relay teams can enter for $100.
Of note: The swim is in a 10-lane competitive pool, with individual self-seeded starts. The bike is a single-lap course with a hill. The run -- closed to traffic -- is "a spectator-friendly" two-lap run, with a small portion on the grass.
Details: Click here.

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