July

July 2, 2009—Concert in the Park, Graceda Park off Needham
Bring a blanket to sit on and some light snacks and drinks.

• July 4, 2009—Run for Independence 2-mile & 5-mile runs, Atwater
Races start together at 7:30 a.m. SHARP at Ralston Park, Grove & Third.. Registration and pre-reg pick-up begin at 5:45 a.m. Registration closes 10 minutes before races start. Walkers are welcome only in the 2-mile event. Trophies to 1st-3rd in each event. Masters (seasoned runners over 40 years old) receive a special award. T-shirts to all participants. For more information and a downloadable entry form, click here.

• July 5, 2009—Hernia Hill 5K, 10K & half-marathon, Murphys-Vallecito
For more information, visit http://OnYourMarkEvents.com.

July 11, 2009—Park Fete 2-mile & 10K walk/runs, Escalon
NEW—ShadowChase members receive a $2 race discount if they pre-register. So join today if you're not already a club member to take advantage of this membership benefit. For more race information and a downloadable entry form, click here. To register online, visit www.active.com.

• July 12, 2009—Eden Medical Center's Run to the Lake 5K & 10K, Castro Valley
For more information, visit http://www.rhodyco.com.

• July 13-16, 2009—Youth Track & Field Sports Camp, Modesto Junior College Track, Coldwell & Tully Road
The sessions are for youths age 8-17. The sessions will help young athletes learn more about track, improve their skills, create new friendships and have fun. Meet at the finish line from 8-11 a.m. Bring water labeled with your name and a snack. The camp will finish with a mini-track meet Thursday, complete with awards. The cost is $49. For more information, including how to register,, click here.

August

Aug. 6, 2009—Regular monthly meeting, East La Loma Park
Run, 6:30; potluck, 7:15, followed by the regular meeting. The meetings are held in the covered gazebo area near the parking lot. Head south on Oakdale Road past the stop light at Scenic Drive (Oakdale changes to El Vista here. There is a Save Mart shopping center on the west side.) One block south of Scenic, take a right (heading west) onto Edgebrook and drive until you reach the first stop sign. Take a right (heading north) through the gates and into the park.

• Aug. 8, 2009—Inaugural Modesto Midnight Half Marathon & 2-mile runs, Downtown Modesto
Half-marathon starts at 9 p.m. from near the Downtown Plaza. Course is two loops along Scenic and LaLoma drives. The moon will be full that night. Two-mile event is a fun run. Beer garden follows for all participants. For more information, visit www.fleetfeetstockton.com. For a downloadable registration form, click here. To register online, visit www.active.com.

September

Sept. 3, 2009—Club-sponsored barbecue, regular monthly meeting, East La Loma Park
Run, 6:30; barbecue, 7:15, followed by the regular meeting. The club will provide the meat and side dishes. Just bring your appetite. This is a members-only event. Become a member today! The meetings are held in the covered gazebo area near the parking lot. Head south on Oakdale Road past the stop light at Scenic Drive (Oakdale changes to El Vista here. There is a Save Mart shopping center on the west side.) One block south of Scenic, take a right (heading west) onto Edgebrook and drive until you reach the first stop sign. Take a right (heading north) through the gates and into the park.

Sept. 5, 2009—Color the Skies Balloon Festival 1-mile & 5K walk/runs, Mistlin Park, Ripon
For more information and a downloadable entry form, click here.

• Sept. 13, 2009 (tentative) —Banana Chase 5K, San Francisco
For more information, visit http://www.rhodyco.com.

Sept. 19, 2009—Cancer Awareness 2-mile & 10K runs and 12-, 30- & 62-mile bike rides, MJC West Campus
Check back later for more information and a downloadable entry form.

• Sept. 23-27, 2009—Lake Tahoe Marathon Weekend, Tahoe City
Running events range from a 5K to a triple marathon (three marathons, one each day) and a 72-mile ultra-marathon. There are also cycling, kayak and swimming events. The solo marathon, as well as a half, 10K and 5K are on Sunday, Sept. 27. For more information, visit http://www.laketahoemarathon.com.

• Sept. 26, 2009—Kaiser Permanente Central Valley Triathlon, Woodward Reservoir
This is a sprint distance. For more information, visit http://www.OnYourMarkEvents.com.

October

Oct. 1, 2009—Regular monthly meeting, East La Loma Park
Run, 6:30; potluck, 7:15, followed by the regular meeting. The meetings are held in the covered gazebo area near the parking lot. Head south on Oakdale Road past the stop light at Scenic Drive (Oakdale changes to El Vista here. There is a Save Mart shopping center on the west side.) One block south of Scenic, take a right (heading west) onto Edgebrook and drive until you reach the first stop sign. Take a right (heading north) through the gates and into the park.

• Oct. 4, 2009—Glide Floss Bridge to Bridge 7K & 12K, San Francisco
These races benefit Special Olympics. For more information, visit http://www.rhodyco.com.

Oct. 10, 2009—Cheese & Wine 5K & 10K walk/runs, Riverbank
The event starts and ends at the Galaxy Theatres on Highway 108 in Riverbank. Shady, tree-lined courses through residential neighborhoods. Raffle, with the grand prize being a mountain bike. Raffle proceeds go to the Team Triumph Fitness Program. For more information and a downloadable entry form, click here. To register online, visit www.active.com.

• Oct. 17, 2009—Kaiser Permanente Central Valley Triathlon #2, Woodward Reservoir
These are sprint and Olympic distances. For more information, visit http://www.OnYourMarkEvents.com.

• Oct. 17, 2009—Tiger Dash 5K and 1/2-mile cub fun run, UOP Stockton
To register online, visit www.active.com.

• Oct. 18, 2009—P.U.M.P. It Up 5K, 10K & kids' fun run, Lodi Lake
For more information, visit http://onyourmarkevents.com.

• Oct. 25, 2009—Grape Stomp 5K, 10K & half-marathon, Livermore
For more information, visit http://www.finishlineproduction.com. To register online, visit www.active.com

• Oct. 25, 2009—Four Bridges Half-Marathon and relay, Folsom
Choose from a 13.1-mile run or a three-person relay. For more information, visit http://www.fourbridgeshalf.org.

November

Nov. 5, 2009—Regular monthly meeting, Modesto Racquet Club
Run, 6:30; potluck, 7:15, followed by the regular meeting. The club is located at 200 Norwegian, which is one block north of Briggsmore and just east of McHenry.

• Nov. 8, 2009—Paul Reese Memorial Clarksburg half-marathon, 30K and 20 miles, Clarksburg
For more information, visit http://www.clarksburgcountryrun.com.

• Nov. 11-15, 2009—Four-Day Adventure Challenge, Sierra foothills
Paddle, rope, run, hike, orienteer and mountain bike. Three- and four-person mixed teams. Volunteers also are welcome and appreciated. For more information, visit http://www.teamkarma.com/.

• Nov. 11, 2009—11th annual Salmon 5000 and duathlon, Knights Ferry
The duathlon involves a run-bike-run. For more information, visit http://www.OnYourMarkEvents.com.

• Nov. 21, 2009—Merced Turkey Trot 2-mile walk/run, 5-mile run, Merced
The events are held in Applegate Park. The Merced Running Club also conducts a shoe drive, so bring your gently used shoes—whether running, dress or casual. The collection is then donated to a local mission, which hands them out during the holidays. For each pair of shoes you bring, you'll receive one raffle ticket. Unique prizes and lots of fun. Make this event a holiday tradition. Check back later for more information and an entry form.

Nov. 26, 2009—Modesto Turkey Trot 5K walk/run and kids' 1/2-mile fun run, Legions Park
Check back later for more information and a downloadable entry form.

• Nov. 29, 2009—Run Wild for a Child 5K & 10K, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
Bring an unwrapped toy for the San Francisco Firefighters' Toy Drive. Come dressed as your favorite toy, run and participate in the costume contest. For more information, visit http://www.rhodyco.com.

December

Dec. 3, 2009—Christmas gift exchange and regular monthly meeting, location: TBA
Bring a gift of $20 or less for the gift exchange. Potluck 7 p.m., followed by regular meeting and gift exchange.

• Dec. 5, 2009—Bah Humbug 5K, San Ramon
For more information, visit http://www.OnYourMarkEvents.com.

• Dec. 6, 2009—California International Marathon and relay, Folsom to Sacramento
The event includes a 26.2-mile marathon and a four-person relay. New this year, a centipede run. In 2008, the entry cap for both events was reached well before the registration deadline. This is a Boston Marathon qualifier. For more information, visit http://www.runcim.org.

Please help us keep our races safe by not wearing headphones. ShadowChase is a member of the Road Runners Clubs of America, which is encouraging its member clubs to promote headphone-free races. RRCA's insurance carrier—which insures its members' races—also is urging race participants to run without headphones (this means iPods, too) for the safety of all involved. Thank you.

Weekly ShadowChase Club runs/walks

Sundays: Meet at the SaveMart (near Panda Express) on Oakdale Road and Scenic at 8 a.m. for a run through East LaLoma Park. Speed and distances vary, based on your own needs and ability. Stay for coffee, snacks and conversation afterward.

Saturdays: Meet at parking lot by Mr. T's, Standiford and Tully, at 7 a.m. for a run along the canals. Speed and distances vary—there are groups of all ability of runners. Stay for doughnuts, coffee and conversation afterward.

Tuesdays: Modesto Junior College Track, Tully and Coldwell, 5:30 p.m. Interval workout of varying speed and distance—all levels welcome. If you don't feel like running fast, come jog or walk the track. Remember track etiquette: Please stay to the outside lanes if you're walking or jogging, and save the inside lanes for people running fast. And look both ways for oncoming runners before crossing the track. Babyjoggers stay to the outside, also. Please no dogs or bicycles.

Wednesdays: Meet at the covered picnic area in East LaLoma Park, 6 p.m. This is an informal mentoring session/training group for walkers, joggers and runners. Come out if you just want someone to run with or need a little help. The sessions last about an hour and will continue throughout the summer until Daylight Savings Time changes.

Thursdays: Meet at the parking lot of Mr. T's, Standiford and Tully, at 5 a.m. for a shorter run along the canals—4-5 miles. Bring a headlamp, if you have one, and wear reflective clothing. Stay for a quick doughnut and coffee afterward.