If these early Spring days have you lacing up your running shoes and thinking about doing a race, The Ticker is offering up three races for good causes in the coming weeks:

Fri./ Sat., Apr. 17 & 18 – The Traverse City Trail Running Festival happens this weekend and features all off-road running through the Pere Marquette Forest. There is a two-person 10k relay, a free kid's race and individual 11k, 25k and 50k runs. A portion of the race proceeds benefit TART Trails. Info/registration here.

Sat., May 2 – The Traverse City Area Public Schools Alumni Association will host the second annual Crosstown Campus 10k run. Runners will travel from Traverse City West Senior High School to Traverse City Central High School, a 6.2-mile course through the Grand Traverse Commons, two of Traverse City’s historic neighborhoods, and a finish along West Grand Traverse Bay. All proceeds benefit the Students in Transition Empowerment Program (STEP) — a free program administered by Traverse City Area Public Schools to help youth who lack fixed, regular and adequate housing. There are more than 500 pre-K through 12th grade students in the district who experience periods of homelessness or do not have access to permanent housing. Complete event details and registration can be found here.

Sat., May 9 – The first annual Run Free: Tiffany Ferguson Memorial Run features three distances (half marathon, 10k and 5k). It is held in honor of the slain Kalkaska mother and will benefit her four children now being raised by grandparents. The event starts at 8am at the Kalkaska High School track. Race and registration here.