A .75-mile wide concrete trail circling this picturesque lake is ideal for walkers and joggers who are looking for a convenient, safe place to exercise all year long. It's very popular with dogs as well, so pet walkers will appreciate having clean-up bags and trash containers conveniently located along the way.

Among the most beautiful places in Wilmington to jog or walk is the 5-mile loop around Greenfield Lake, south of downtown. The scenic paved path bears mile markers and follows the undulating lake shore across two wooden foot bridges (slippery when wet).

Located in the southwest district of Wilmington near Independence Boulevard, the 58-acre Halyburton Park has a handicapped-accessible, 1.3-mile walking/bike trail that traverses some lovely natural areas.

This scenic sidewalk circuit is an approximately 2.45-mile course that is very popular among locals. It encompasses a portion of the perimeter of Wrightsville Beach Park along Causeway Drive, plus Lumina Avenue and Salisbury Street. If you bring your dog along there's a free Dog Bar (serving water) beside Bryant Real Estate at the corner of N. Lumina and Salisbury plus two additional doggy fountains along the route. Benches and drinking water are available for people, too. Pet owners are required to clean up after their pets.

The Wilmington Roadrunners Club, headquartered at the YMCA, sponsors races, picnics, fun runs and evening runs and provides information on technique and safety. Entire families are welcome. Membership in the Roadrunners Club includes newsletter and magazine subscriptions, discounts on gear and other perks. This is the place to learn what's going on in the running world, especially the events being held in the Cape Fear area. Call, watch the YMCA bulletin board or visit www.wilmingtonroadrunners.org.

Beach Walkers meet five days a week to enjoy a stroll along Oak Island's beautiful strand while improving physical fitness. The South Harbour Making Tracks walking group meets at the tennis courts beside the pro shop on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 9 AM. Individuals can chose to complete either a one-mile or two-mile walk on pre-approved routes. Participants in each of these programs keep records of their mileage and report it at the end of the month as part of an incentive program.

The Carolina Sports Medicine Battleship NORTH CAROLINA Half Marathon (13.1 miles) and Bay Six 5K (3.1 miles) is a challenging race that starts and finishes at the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA. The half-marathon is a USATF–certified course that goes over two bridges, passes through Historic Downtown Wilmington, tours beautiful Greenfield Lake, crosses the Cape Fear Memorial bridge and returns to the battleship. It is the largest half-marathon in the state. Two new state records were set on this course in 2007. The 5K is a precisely measured out-and-back course that crosses one bridge, makes a U-turn, and returns to the battleship. This event is presented annually in November by Ed Fore in cooperation with the staff of the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA Memorial, the Wilmington Family YMCA and members of the local running community. The race features chip timing, river taxi and trolley buses to race start, a Saturday Expo/packet pickup at the Battleship Memorial, an awards ceremony overlooking the beautiful Cape Fear River and free beer after the race. Proceeds benefit the Battleship Restoration Fund, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society TNT, Wilmington Family YMCA and several other local charities. The 2009 race date is November 1.

Organized by the Wilmington Roadrunners Club, this event is held in Wrightsville Beach the third weekend in November. The Seaside Shuffle is based at the Blockade Runner Resort Hotel. Men and women compete separately in a 5K road race over a USATF certified course. This is billed as a 'race for runners' and includes a post-race awards ceremony and party on the hotel's beautiful oceanfront patio.

Sponsored by the Wilmington Family YMCA and several area businesses, the Wilmington Orthopedic Azalea 5K Run is held in May and the 27th Annual Maus, Warwick & Matthews Tri-Span 10K and 5K takes place in July. The 10K course crosses three bridges along the Wilmington waterfront, and the 5K goes through historic Downtown Wilmington. The YMCA also hosts the largest triathlon from Washington, D.C., to Florida in September. This sprint triathlon held at Wrightsville Beach is sponsored by Maus, Warwick & Matthews. In early November the YMCA hosts its second annual Iron and Half Iron Distance races, an event sponsored by Intracoastal Realty and New Hanover Regional Hospital. Sign up for races at the Set Up Events, Inc. website at www.setupevents.com. Money raised from these special events goes to the YMCA We Build People Campaign for after-school programs and scholarship memberships to the YMCA. Call Gray Lambeth at the YMCA for detailed information.

The Maritime Classic takes place the first Saturday in November and features a 10K footrace along some of the most scenic byways in the region, ranging through dense maritime forest, open meadow and through a manicured golf and beach community. Pre-registration includes the ferry ride from Southport.

The annual 5K Freedom Run in Southport is an integral part of the N.C. Fourth of July Festival activities. The early morning race, which has attracted runners from as far away as Arizona, begins at Waterfront Park, heads west on Bay Street, then winds through the Yacht Basin onto Brunswick, W. West, Atlantic, Leonard, Fodale, Moore and Rhett streets and finishes right where it started. Refreshments and live music await all participants.

The route of this popular run/walk begins at the Brunswick County Airport (5K run begins at the Caswell Beach Town Hall), crosses the Oak Island Bridge, turns through tree-lined streets, follows the beachfront and ends just past the Oak Island Lighthouse at the N.C. Baptist Assembly. Framed Oak Island Lighthouse prints by local artist Ricky Evans of Ricky Evans Gallery are awarded to the three top runners overall and the three top runners in each age group. Come join the competition!

The Oyster Festival Road Race is part of Ocean Isle Beach's North Carolina Oyster Festival, held the third weekend in October. Held on Saturday morning, this fun event is open to all ages. Three races include a 10K, 5K and a 1-mile Fun Run. Call the chamber of commerce office at the number above for more information or to register. The pre-registration deadline is mid-October.

This race begins and ends at the Sea Trail Gazebo in Sea Trail Plantation. It is a 5-mile loop course on mostly paved roads in Sea Trail and Sunset Beach. Awards are given to the top three finishers in each age group and to the top three overall male and female finishers. Proceeds benefit Brunswick Family Assistance.