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:

Run! Ballantyne

What: 5K/10K race and 1-mile Fun Run.
When: 8 a.m. Saturday (Fun Run begins at 9:30).
Where: Ballantyne Corporate Park, 13024 Ballantyne Corporate Place.
Cost: Click here for the pricing tiers, but if you register online before race day, it's $20 for the 5K and $25 for the 10K. Fun Run is $10 no matter how or when you sign up.
Of note: This is the sixth year for the event, and it offers the only major 10K in Charlotte between now and the fall. ... Organizers have designed a new course for 2010. ... Last year, more than 700 runners participated.
To register: Click here.

Pet Palooza

What: Kennelly 5K run and fundraising walk.
When: 9:15 a.m. Saturday.
Where: Independence Park, 300 Hawthorne Lane.
Why: To raise money and awareness for the Humane Society of Charlotte.
Cost: $25 for runners, $15 for walkers until 5 p.m. Thursday. $30 for runners on race day.
Of note: The Kennelly 5K is open to humans and their canine running partners (the walk is, too). ... Pet Palooza is the largest annual pet festival and fundraiser for the Humane Society of Charlotte.
Details: Click here.

Upgrade Lifestyle 5K

What: 5K and Kids Fun Run (1 mile).
When: 8 a.m. Saturday (Fun Run to follow).
Where: Birkdale Resident's Club, 8915 Devonshire Drive, in Huntersville.
Why: Proceeds will benefit the Leukemia Foundation.
Cost: $20 for the 5K ($25 on race day). Kids run is $5.
Of note: The out-and-back course is described as rolling. ... The kids run will be on grassy fields, and age divisions will have distances from .25 to 1 mile.
Details: Click here and scroll down to "Upcoming Events."

Hearts for Missions 5K Run/Walk

When: 8 a.m. Saturday.
Where: The course will start in the Shoppes at Davis Lake (8517 Davis Lake Parkway) and finish at Independence Hill Baptist Church, 10220 Eastfield Road.
Why: The event will benefit Angels and Sparrows Soup Kitchen; Charlotte Rescue Mission; Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry; The Hope House Foundation; and Fountain of Life Church in Santa Matilde, Nicaragua.
Cost: Registration is $15 (or $20 on race day) with a fund-raising minimum of $50 per participant.
Of note: This event is held in conjunction with the Hearts for Missions Fun Days.
Details: Click here.

TWAM Mission Run

What: 5K and Fun Run.
When: 9 a.m. Saturday.
Where: Salisbury Community Park, 935 Hurley School Road, in Salisbury.
Why: This is a major fundraiser for TWAM (Teens With a Mission), which this summer will send a group of 30-plus youths and adults to build a house for a needy family in Jamaica.
Cost: $15 by Thursday, $20 on race day. Fun Run is $10 in advance or $15 day-of.
Of note: The event is in its fifth year. ... Two miles of the course go around a lake.
Details: Click here.

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