FITNESS RELATED to running is alive, well and growing in the Midlands. The second edition of the recent Columbia Marathon put approximately 2,000 participants running through the streets. The controlled chaos included children and seniors in their 80s.

The “green-themed” races in Five Points this weekend will do the same. The number of road races held in the Midlands annually has more than tripled since this column began in 1987.

That’s not all. The Blythewood Spring Omnium Prologue held by Cobblestone Park involved 159 bicyclists competing in “Prologue, Criterium and Circuit Races.”

Smaller road races with established histories continue to abound. The March 3 Race Judicata sponsored by USC’s Women In Law on the popular 5K certified course in Shandon is an example. Columbia’s Ryan Plexico, 29, led the 63 runners to the finish in 16:28. In sixth place overall, Columbia’s Amanda Charlton, 38, was first female in 18:52.

The baseball themed “Run to the Plate” 5K, a fundraiser for Brooklyn-Cayce High sports, had 98 finishers with Irmo’s Andy McNeice, 29, winning in 17:27. Columbia’s Ann Buford, 17, was first female in 22:28.

In February, Lexington’s Race Against Hunger 10K had 199 finishers, with Justin Bishop from West Columbia, 31, leading the field in 34:56. Amy McDonaugh, was fifth overall and first female in 39:23.

UPCOMING

CODE: GPT=Palmetto Grand Prix Tour; TDC=Tour de Columbia

SATURDAY

COLUMBIA 7:30 a.m. St. Pat’s in Five Points Get to the Green 10K; 8 a.m. 5K, TDC (803) 600-1800.

ROCK HILL 8 a.m. Be Great 8K, Winthrop Coliseum (704) 374-2651.

GAFFNEY 7:30 a.m. Run for the Clovers 5K, PGP (864) 487-0921.

GREENVILLE 8 a.m. GHS Half-Marathon & 5K (843) 338-1481.

N. MYRTLE BEACH 9 a.m. BFF Pink Ribbon Run 5K & 10K www.bffpinkribbonrun.co.

HILTON HEAD 8 a.m. Hilton Head Shamrock 5K (843) 757-8520.

MT. PLEASANT 9 a.m. Sweetgrass Music Festival 5K (803) 513-3848.

SENECA 8 a.m. Seneca 5K followed by Seneca Half-Marathon (864) 710-3910.

MARCH 23

COLUMBIA 8:30 a.m. Healthy Capital 5K Columbia H.S. (803) 731-8950 EXT. 2107.

COLUMBIA 8 a.m. The Fuse “Give Freely” 5K Shandon, Hand Middle School (803) 254-0118.

DUNCAN 9 a.m. BFA FCA 5K at Willow Creek, PGP (864) 380-9023.

LAURENS 5 p.m. Little River Bridge Run 8K (864) 984-2119.

MARCH 30

NEWBERRY 8:30 a.m. Run For Your Life 5K, PGP (803) 405-7484.

CLEMSON 8 a.m. Clemson Easter Bunny Half-Marathon & 5K (864) 247-6735.

GREENVILLE 8:30 a.m. Easter Bunny Trail Hop 5K stevebaker864@gmail.com.

SPRINGFIELD 8 a.m. Governor’s Frog Jump 5K (803) 541-1978.

APRIL 6

CHARLESTON 8 a.m. Cooper River Bridge Run 10K; Wheelchair 7:45 a.m.

APRIL 12-13

Columbia to Charleston, Palmetto 200 Relay (staggered start times) (843) 693-6904.

APRIL 13

COLUMBIA 8:30 a.m. Climb the Clay 8K Trail Run (803) 213-2056.

COLUMBIA 7 a.m. Palmetto Half-Marathon; 5K Run/Walk 7:15 a.m.; Kids Fun Run 9 a.m. (803) 600-1800.

FLORENCE 8:30 a.m. Brighter Days 5K & 10K bullard_bonnie@yahoo.com.

GREENVILLE 8 a.m. Patriot Road Race 5K (864) 269-1821.

GREENVILLE 8 a.m. Furman 5K Run/Walk (864) 294-3415.

MYRTLE BEACH 9 a.m. Building Futures Autism 5K & 1 Mi. dog walk (843) 449-0554.

ROCK HILL 8 a.m. Come See Me Festival 5K (803) 329-8970.