Not Quite Marathons...

Here are four season-ender races that are challenging, but won't finish you off for the year (hey, let's save something for the rest of the millennium!):

Nov 4: The 12th annual Canandaigua Elks Run 15K. This one benefits Mercy Flight Central. It starts at 9 a.m. at the Elks Club near Main Street and takes you through town and out into "the beautiful rolling countryside of Ontario County" (and it really is!) $15 pre-registration, $20 day of race. Long-sleeved shirts to first 100 registrants. Call race director Stacey VanDenburg at (315) 597-1514 or download an application at the Greater Rochester Track Club website at www.ggw.org/grtc/

Nov. 5: The 20th annual Red Baron Half Marathon. It begins high atop Spencer Hill on the Corning Community College campus and finishes at the Corning YMCA (next door to Corning Inc.). Yes, it's the 20th anniversary and I bet some of you didn't even know it existed. The first 5 miles are rolling; miles 5-11 are downhill and the final two are on the flats. It starts at 1 p.m.; go early and you can watch the NYC Marathon in progress on a big screen TV. Contact Les Rosenbloom, CCC, 1 Academic Dr., Corning, 14830-3297; e-mail: rosenbll@corning-cc.edu; call 962-9488. Cost: $20 pre- and post.

Nov. 12: The 25th annual Stockade-Athon. This 15K begins in Central Park in Schenectady, at 10: 30 a.m. Good food, nice T-shirts. Cost: $15-$20 depending on registration deadlines. Contact HMRRC, PO Box 12304, Alba, N.Y. 12212.

Dec. 2: The 17th annual Nittany Valley Half Marathon. Well worth the trip to State College, Pa., the race begins and ends on the Penn State campus and takes you on a tough trip around town. Certified and well organized -- and a bargain: $12 pre-Nov. 18; $5 if you don't want a shirt. Race day: $15. And, Joe Reynolds' daughter Morgan Wasikonis is the race director. Contact Nittany Valley Running Club, Calder Square, PO Box 10348, State College, Pa. 16805-0348. E-mail: mortaymat5@aol.com. Visit their website at www.nvrun.com.

Some More Fall Distance Delights on the Web:
Oct. 8: SteamTown Marathon
Oct. 15: Hudson-Mohawk Marathon
              Toronto Marathon
Oct. 22: Niagarathon
Nov. 5: Red Baron Half Marathon

And Even More Race Previews:

The Syracuse Festival of Races is set for Oct. 1 at Manley Field House at SU. The race hosts separate 5Ks for men and women. Race director Dave Oja challenges FLRC & High Noon to field some team competition. Team age groups include open, and masters (40-49); (50-59); (60-69); (70-79) and (80-plus). This is your opportunity to go head to head with some of the nation's finest, as well as an opportunity to enjoy the sight of literally hundreds of local schoolkids doing the 3K. For details, contact Oja at 213 Scott Ave., Syracuse, N.Y. 13224; call (315) 446-6285 or check out the website at www.festivalofraces.com.

2000 Police Pursuit Series Races include: Lee Barta 5K , Binghamton (July 22); Pud's Run 5K, Ithaca (Aug. 27); and Pit Run 10K, Oneonta (Oct. 1). For information, call 772-7017.