Many moms meet like-minded runners through their kids' play groups or similar social circles, but here are a few organizations to keep in mind while searching for someone to share the road.

Note: These are all coed, but many offer sub-groups of varying levels of speed and experience.

West Penn Track Club has been around since 1969, website is www.westpenntrackclub.org. Another oldie but goodie is the city's chapter of the national Road Runners, at www.thegreaterpittsburghroadrunnersclub.com.

At least two footwear/running stores provide training information as well as the chance to gallop with a group or find a running buddy. Elite Runners & Walkers of Robinson is at www.eliterunners.com, and Bethel Park's Fleet Feet Sports can be found at www.fleetfeetpittsburgh.com.

A friendly group of runners mostly based in Squirrel Hill that's been around for more than a decade is the East End Runners, at http://eastendrunners.blogspot.com. RunPgh is at www.runpgh.com/home, and People Who Run Downtown (no description needed) are at www.pittsburghrunning.org.

Pittsburgh Frontrunners is a running club for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. It usually has three weekly runs, with participants meeting at the Columbus statue next to Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. www.pittsburgh-frontrunners.org.

Hot Harry's North Park Runners holds weekend runs beginning at JC Stone Field. For the more serious racer, there is the Pittsburgh Pharaoh Hounds club, www.pittsburghpharaohhounds.org.

-- Maria Sciullo

Doug Oster writes a blog, "Growing With Doug," exclusively at PG+, a members-only web site of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.