A Guide to Local Marathons

If you're an avid runner you won't find a shortage of races and walks benefiting everything from the American Lung Association to leukemia research in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

This Saturday, June 12 the Annual Garden of Eden 5K/1 Mile Fun Run/Walk takes place at 6013 Elliott Reeder Road at Valley Baptist Church. It benefits the Carson Street Historic Preservation Group and the Garden of Eden Historic and Cultural Landmark District.

For details, call 817-759-1874.

To honor the military while competing in a marathon, just think about Justin, who will be on medical leave soon after serving in Iraq and who, at 22, has seen more than his share of death over there.

"I've seen elementary school kids come out of class carrying AK-47s on to the playground, sitting in circles, and chanting their ruler's name," he said. "I've seen guys 18, 19, 20, 21 get their arms and legs blown off."

The Wounded Warrior Half Marathon, 10K, and Military Mile will kick off June 13 in Las Colinas, TX.

Pick up your registration packets June 10, 11-7 at Luke's Locker in Dallas at 3607 Oak Lawn, June 11, 3-7 p.m. at Luke's at 5505 Colleyville Boulevard in Colleyville, or June 12 at CK Sports, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., 8880 State Highway 121 in McKinney. Race day registration is on the south side of N. O'Connor Boulevard at Las Colinas Boulevard near Williams Square.

For any more details, see dallasathletesracing.com, email danejones@verizon.net, or call 214-502-9837.

The late summer 2010 running of the Prude Ranch Races Half Marathon will be Aug. 8 in Fort Davis, TX.

For a map and further details, visit http://marathons.ahotu.com/race/the_lake_at_inks_lake_state_park-_60k.

Featuring both a guest ranch and a working cattle one, that sits on hundreds of acres in west Texas, the historic place opens up its wide open spaces yearly for the series of running events including a half marathon, 10K, 5K, and individual and relay duathlon.

Starting at 7:30 a.m., the race charges an entry fee of $25 and you can pick up your packet Aug. 7 from 3:30-5:30 or on race day 6-6:45 a.m.

For more information, visit http://www.fitnesscamp.org/ranchrace.html.

The Race at Pedernales Falls State Park will be featured Aug. 14 in Texas Hill Country in Johnson City and is a race of 60 km and 30 km. The ultramarathon, which starts at 7:30 a.m. is comprised of a fire/access road, single track, and equestrian trails that range from moderate to steep up and downs.

For details, email bradtquinn@gmail.com.

Aug. 15 make sure you take advantage of each and every one of the ten water stations on the 13-mile trek if you participate in The Hottest Half & 10K Marathon in Dallas, TX. You'll travel around White Rock Lake Park and might be one of the 1,200 runners who crossed the finish line last year.

To register, access https://www.signmeup.com/site/reg/register.aspx?fid=4L2V4K7.