Many people enjoy running for fitness and health, but what about those who want to run competetively? There are hundreds of opportunites out their for all ages and skill levels.

The easiest place for younger-age competition is, of course, school. Almost every middle school and high school has either a track or cross country program (usually both). These programs offer runners the chance to compete against local runners in a friendly environment.

For those of us who are out of college (and haven't been signed by Nike), there are many types of competition. Look for charity runs (usually 3, 5 or 10 kilometers) or marathons held in your area. There are many running clubs that compete intra-murally against other local groups, and it's easier to gather interest and start your own club if you desire.

So if you are interested in taking the next step in your running career, look around and find some chances to compete against other people.

Good luck!

Learn more about this author, Craven Moorehead.
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