Here come the walks, runs, motorcycle rides, bike treks, hoop-a-thons and golf classics to raise money and awareness for disease charities and other health-related efforts. Our health news assistant Kathy Samudovsky has pulled together a list of spring and summer events that have been submitted by local organizations.

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In addition to the events listed below, the American Cancer Society has 30 Relay For Life 24-hour events scheduled from April to August throughout the region. These are team relay events, often held on school tracks, to raise money to fight cancer and celebrate survivorship.

To find an event near you, check the society Web site, www.cancer.org and click on "Relay for Life" and type in your ZIP code, or call 1-888-227-5445.

April 17

Deloitte Consulting "Run Your Heart Out" 15K Run/5K Run-Walk at Allegheny County Fairgrounds in South Park. Event day registration start, 7 a.m.; 15K, 9 a.m.; 5K, 9:15 a.m. Proceeds benefit The Caring Place, a grieving center dedicated to families who have lost a loved one. For details, visit www.deloitte15k.com or call 412-402-5999.

Hoop-A-Thon to benefit the Huntington's Disease Society of America/Western Pennsylvania Chapter, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Northgate High School, Bellevue. Participants shoot baskets for sponsors' pledges per basket. To register as a shooter or for more information, call 412-761-2271 or 1-888-779-4372 or visit www.hdsawpa.org.

President's Challenge 5K Run/Walk/Wheel on the North Shore Riverwalk, starting between Heinz Field and PNC Park. Registration start, 8 a.m.; event, 9 a.m. Sponsored by the Western Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association to benefit the Pittsburgh Steelwheelers, a sports organization for the physically challenged. To register and for other details, call Laurie Lacher, 412-630-9744.

5K Run/Walk for Spina Bifida, 4 p.m. CCAC North Campus, 8701 Perry Highway, McCandless. Course runs through a residential area behind the college; downhill start and uphill finish. Registration, 3 p.m. in the upper parking lot (next to the Sheetz store). Sponsored by the college's Supportive Services Student Club. Proceeds will benefit the Family School Partnerships division of the Spina Bifida Association of Western Pennsylvania. For an application or more details, visit www.smileymiles.com or call Tom McKelvey at 412-855-6601.

Race for the Moon & Stars 5K, 9 a.m. White Oak Park's Redwood Grove. Registration, 7:45-8:45 a.m. Run or walk to benefit programs mainly for cancer patients and families who live in communities served by the American Cancer Society's Mon Yough chapter. For details, call 412-885-2537.

Vintage 5K Race and 2-Mile Walk, 9 to 11 a.m., Vintage senior community center, 401 N. Highland Ave., East Liberty. Registration start, 8 a.m. Proceeds support programs for older adults. To register, visit www.active.com or call Marilyn at 412-361-5003, ext. 106.

April 18

2004 MS Walk, beginning at the Chevrolet Amphitheater at Station Square, South Side. 5-, 10- and 1-mile routes. Check-in start, 8 a.m.; walk, 9 a.m. Proceeds benefit the Allegheny District chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, which serves 4,900 residents with MS living in the region. For information, call 412-261-6347 or visit www.nmss-pgh.org. Walks also planned for the same day or April 25 in Clarion, Greensburg and Meadville.

April 24

10th annual Neurofibromatosis 5K Walk & Fun Run at Schenley Park Ice Oval, Oakland. Registration start, 9 a.m.; walk, 10 a.m. To benefit the Neurofibromatosis Clinics Association, which provides research, social services and education for the common genetic disorder. To register, call 412-795-3029 or visit trfn.clpgh.org/nfca

Blow the Whistle on Asthma 5K Walk, 10 a.m. North Shore Riverfront Park (behind Heinz Field near Gate A). To benefit the American Lung Association of Pennsylvania. Registration start, 9 a.m. Asthma screenings offered on site. To register, visit www.asthmawalk.org or call 724-933-6180.

April 25

March of Dimes WalkAmerica 2004 10K (6.2 miles) traditional walk and 5K family walk to raise money to fight birth defects. At Point State Park, Downtown and 15 other Western Pennsylvania sites, including Butler Memorial Park in Butler, Lynch Field in Greensburg and Brady's Run Park in Beaver. Pittsburgh's walk start, 10 a.m. Register online at www.walkamerica.org or to find a walk near you, call 1-800-422-2437.

May 6

Cystic Fibrosis Great Strides: Taking Steps to Cure Cystic Fibrosis, a 6.1-mile walk for all ages to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation/Western Pennsylvania Chapter. The first area walk: May 6 on the North Shore "Rails to Trails," with check-in at 6 p.m. and walk start 7 p.m. There also are six May 16 walks, one each at Boyce, North and South parks, and in Beaver, Butler and Westmoreland counties. Flat donations are collected prior to walks. To find a site near you or to register online, visit www.cff.org/great_strides or call Tammi Fleet at 412-321-4422.

May 8

Zach Attack & Cadillac Mac Concert, 7 p.m., Oxford Athletic Club, 1000 Village Club Drive, Pine. Buffet, 7:30 to 9 p.m.; band, 8 p.m. Proceeds benefit the Zach Attack and Nathan's Battle Foundation to fund upcoming gene therapy clinical trials for Batten Disease. The foundation is named after Zachary Balog, 8, of Cranberry, and Nathan Milto, 9, of Greenwood, Ind., who have the disorder, which causes mental impairment, worsening seizures and progressive loss of sight and motor skills. For tickets, call 724-452-4330.

May 14

13th annual Jay Simon Golf Classic at Beaver Valley Golf Club, 725 Sixth Ave., Beaver Falls. Shot-gun start, 9 a.m. 18 holes of golf (four-player scramble). Proceeds benefit the Norma L. Simon ALS Patient Equipment Fund, which provides equipment not covered by insurance for ALS patients. Jay's mother, Norma, died of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, in 2000. For registration details, call 724-742-2307.

May 15

24th annual Run For Mental Health, a 5K run/walk starting at 10 a.m., Torrance State Hospital, off Route 217, Blairsville, Indiana County. Registration, 8 to 9:45 a.m. Proceeds benefit programs for indigent patients. Call Georgiann Palek at 724-459-4424.

American Heart Association Heart Walks will be held at six sites on two dates: On May 15, the Westmoreland County Heart Walk will be held at Kennametal Fitness Trail, Latrobe. On Oct. 2, in addition to the Pittsburgh Heart Walk at the Riverplex at Sandcastle in Homestead, walks will take place in Beaver, Butler, Fayette and Washington counties. To find a walk near you, visit www.americanheart.org and search for your local branch, or call the association's Western Pennsylvania Region at 412-243-5393.

May 16

Fun Walk to Raise Awareness of mitochondrial diseases, 9 to 11 a.m., South Allegheny High School, 2743 Washington Blvd., Port Vue. Proceeds from the pledge walk benefit the Kaitlin Vasilich "Hope" Fund, which supports research for the disease and scholarships for college students pursuing degrees in education. For details, call Patrick Cortazzo at 412-829-3491.

Race for Life 5K /1-Mile Fun Walk, 8:30 a.m. North Boundary Park, 100 North Boundary Park Drive, Cranberry. Proceeds will benefit the Rick Restelli Cancer & Heart Foundation. Restelli, a Cranberry resident, has a malignant brain tumor and cardiomyopathy. For details, visit www.troop403.org or call Matt Kuzma at 724-776-5971.

16th annual Fitness Classic 5K Run/Walk, 8:30 a.m., at UPMC St. Margaret on Freeport Road, near Aspinwall. Check-in start, 7:30 a.m. Proceeds benefit community education programs of the hospital foundation. For details, visit stmargaret.upmc.com or call 412-784-5169.

May 22

15th annual Charlotte's Run, 9 a.m., Beaver Valley Mall. A 5-mile run/1-mile fun walk to benefit the Huntington's Disease Society of America/Western Pennsylvania Chapter. Registration, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Race honors Charlotte Andres, who died in 1991 of Huntington's disease. To register, call 724-375-4416 or 1-888-779-4372 or visit www.hdsawpa.org.

Highmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield's second annual Walk for a Healthy Community at Chevrolet Amphitheater, Station Square, South Side. Registration start, 7:45 a.m.; 5K walk, 9 a.m.; 1-mile fun walk, 9:15 a.m. Benefits 12 organizations. Participants indicate which organization(s) they are supporting. Sign up by May 10 and receive a $2 discount off parking. Call 412-544-3776. You can pre-register directly with these organizations:

May 23

Three Rivers Liver Walk, along the Three Rivers Heritage Trail starting at Washington's Landing. Registration start, 8:30 a.m.; 5K walk, 9:30 a.m. Proceeds benefit the new American Liver Foundation, Western Pennsylvania Chapter. For details, visit www.liverfoundation.org or call 412-434-7044.

May 30

15th annual Animal Walk, 9 a.m. at the National Aviary, North Side. The 5K walk through historic North Side neighborhoods benefits animal health and welfare services at Western Pennsylvania Humane Society, Animal Rescue League, Animal Friends, Homeless Cat Management Team and other organizations. To register or for more details, call Robin Miller at the North Side Chamber of Commerce, 412-231-6500.

June 5

Church Army USA's third annual 4-mile Walk for the Needy, 10 a.m. to noon, North Shore Riverwalk, Allegheny Gardens. Check-in, 9:30 a.m. For details, visit www.churcharmyusa.org. or call Lisa Faulkner, 412-231-1851.

5K UMDF Run/1-Mile Walk at North Park Boat House. Pledge-based, family event to benefit the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation, which promotes research for cures of mitochondrial disorders and provides patient support. Run start, 8:15 a.m.; walk start, 8:45 a.m. Rain or shine. Registration deadline, May 28. Call 412-793-8077.

June 6

10th and Last Pittsburgh AIDS Walk, a 5K at Flagstaff Hill in Schenley Park. Check-in start, 7:30 a.m.; pre-walk festivities, 9 a.m.; walk, 10 a.m. Benefits the Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force and other local AIDS service organizations. To register or for information, call 412-242-2500, ext. 122 or visit www.patf.org.

C.C. Riders sixth annual Charity Motorcycle Ride to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Registration and breakfast, 9 a.m. at Peter's Place, 119 Washington Pike, Kirwan Heights. Ride starts at 11:30 a.m., ends at the North Shore pier (near Heinz Field). For details, call the Make-A-Wish office at 412-471-9474 or visit www.ccriderspa.org.

Fifth annual Walk F.A.R. (Family and Friends for Autism Research) for NAAR. Three-mile trek organized by the National Alliance for Autism Research and volunteers and held at Heinz Field. Registration start, noon; walk, 2 p.m. For details, visit www.autismwalk.org or call the Pittsburgh NAAR Office at 412-487-6851.

June 12-13

19th annual MS 150 Bike Tour: Escape to the Lake. A one-way, 150-mile ride along scenic backroads from Cranberry, Butler County to the shores of Lake Erie in Conneaut, Ohio, with a shuttle return. Meet at Three Rivers Aluminum Co., 71 Progress Ave., Cranberry. Check-in, 6:30 a.m.; ride start, 7:30 a.m. Benefits the Allegheny District chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Call 412-261-6347 or register online at www.nmss-pgh.org.

June 19

16th annual Pirates Family Fun Run/Walk at PNC Park. Registration start, 8 a.m.; 5K run and 2-mile walk, 9:30 a.m. Benefits the Epilepsy Foundation of Western/Central Pennsylvania. For details, visit www.efwp.org or call Colleen Kaufman or Kristin Lesker, 412-261-5880.

June 20

Second annual Fathers Day 5K/10K run/walk for Prostate Cancer Awareness, Detection and Education at the riverfront near Heinz Field. New this year is the 10K and post-race activities. Fun run begins at 8 a.m.; 10K at 8:30 a.m. and 5K walk/run at 8:40 a.m. Organized by Us Too! International. Register online at active.com. For details, 412-572 -6830.

June 27

2004 American Diabetes Association Tour de Cure bicycle ride at Seneca Valley High School in Harmony. Includes: 10-mile family fun ride and scenic tour, 11 a.m. (10:30 a.m. check-in); 30-mile (or 20-mile option) fitness test and singles mixer, 10 a.m. (9 a.m. check-in); 50-mile training ride and fat tire challenge, 8:30 a.m. (8 a.m. check-in); and 100-mile ultimate challenge, 7 a.m. (6:30 a.m. check-in). For ride details or to register, visit www.diabetes.org/tour or call 412-824-1181, ext. 4609.

12th annual Tour de Sewickley through scenic areas of Allegheny and Beaver counties, benefitting The Early Learning Institute. Sixty-mile bike ride starts between 7 and 8 a.m.; 30-mile bike ride, between 8 and 9 a.m.; five-mile family fun ride, 11 a.m.; and a new 2.5-mile in-line skating loop, 9 a.m. All events depart from/conclude at the Sewickley YMCA. The Institute serves learning disabled children ages birth through 5 and their families. To register, call 412-922-8322, ext. 27.

"Walk With Me" 1K family stroll or 2-mile walk, Schenley Park Oval Track, Oakland. Check-in and warm-up, 8 a.m.; opening ceremony, 8:30 a.m.; walk, 9 a.m. Proceeds benefit Easter Seals of Western Pennsylvania, which serves people with disabilities. Visit www.walkwithme.org or call Karen Kavic at 412-281-7244, ext. 272.

June 28

National Pancreatic Foundation Golf Tournament at Highland Country Club, West View. Registration, 10:30 a.m., followed by a buffet lunch and noon shotgun start. Prize is a Mercedes Benz for a hole-in-one. For details, visit www.pancreasfoundation.org or call Patter Birsic at 724-933-0076 or Susan Payne at 724-935-4661.

July 4

Third annual Race for Virginia & Friends, a 5K run/walk, Cranberry Community Park (off Route 19), Cranberry. To benefit childhood cancer research at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. In memory of Virginia Clark, 9, of Seven Fields, Butler County, who died in 2002 after battling neuroblastoma for seven years. Check-in start, 6:30 a.m.; race start, 7:45 a.m. To register, visit www.raceforvirginia.org, or call Dave Porco or Bob Markovich at 724-772-7429.

July 18

Kayla's Run For SIDS, a 5K run/2-mile walk starting at 9 a.m., Baldwin High School, Route 51, Whitehall. Check-in start, 7 a.m. Benefits the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Alliance, South Side, in memory of Kayla Mangan, race director Gary Mangan's daughter who died in 1998 from SIDS. Call 412-885-3858.

Aug. 22

"Pick up the Pace" pledge walk for pancreatic cancer, North Park Boathouse. Registration, 9 a.m.; walk start, 10 a.m. Sponsored by PanCan, an action network. For details, check www.pancan.org or call Heidi Fortwangler at 724-457-1447.

Aug. 28

Fifth annual Cigna Motorcycle Ride. At the Meadows (formerly Ladbroke) parking lot, Harmar. Led by John Cigna and the Cigna Riders to benefit the Little Sisters of the Poor home. Distance depends on weather. Registration at 10 a.m.; 2-hour ride begins at 11 a.m. For details, call Colleen Gaughan at 412-761-5373.