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If you missed Sunday's Tap Room 5K, then you've let one May racing opportunity pass you by.

But, dear Running Shorts readers, plenty more chances — more than 20 of them — remain for you to sign up for road races over these next three weekends. (Running one or more of these races guarantees that you will look and feel great at that Memorial Day weekend cookout).

They're all listed at the Running Shorts blog (www.news-record.com/blog/running_shorts) under the Race Days box, with links to each, and we're rooting for all of the events to succeed. We'll call your attention to a handful:

SATURDAY

Starting lines in: High Point, Kernersville, Burlington, Elon, Asheboro, Winston-Salem and Trinity.

Distances: All 5Ks.

You should consider: The Komen Race for the Cure in Winston-Salem is a huge event, raising money for education, screenings, treatment and research related to breast cancer. We also like Triad Park's Declan's Dash 5K, which includes a field of 250 already entered for its debut race.

And one more: The Pro Feet Challenge Extreme 5K adventure race is at Lake Mackintosh on Sunday. We know Sunday is Mother's Day, which might mean a big lunch. But the entry fee includes a pair of odor-neutralizing socks, and Mom's gotta like that.

MAY 14

Starting lines in: Summerfield, Greensboro (three), Winston-Salem (two), High Point and Bermuda Run.

Distances: 5Ks except for a 10K at Bermuda Run and a 10K (with a 5K) in Winston-Salem.

You should consider: The Blue Points 5K on the Runway at PTI. It's an out-and-back along a fast runway. You can run as fast as you can for more than three miles, holding out your arms as airplane wings.

And one more: The Law Enforcement Memorial 5K in downtown Greensboro is a fundraiser for Special Olympics.

MAY 21

Starting lines in: Greensboro (two), High Point, Kernersville, Clemmons, Winston-Salem and Asheboro.

Distances: 5Ks.

You should consider: The Running of the Green 5K is another downtown Greensboro route, and the event is hosted by the Greensboro Children's Museum.

And one more: The PM in the Park on the Friday evening before you tackle one of those 5Ks. This is an easy call: It's a new event, it's only a mile, it's downhill, and it's only 15 bucks and includes a T-shirt.

Trail Tales

I've always told people that I wasn't man enough to run on trails. Now I'm going to prove it.

Jason Smith of Off 'N Running Sports is leading trail runs on Wednesday nights. I'm tagging along to get a look at this beautiful side of Greensboro that I don't get to see because I've preferred to pound my hips, knees and ankles into oblivion on the asphalt of the Gate City.

If you're like me, then a series on the blog, Trail Tales, might help you see what you're missing.

Last week's run on part of the Nat Greene Trail consisted of four of the toughest miles I've ever run. It also led to the first of what we hope will be several Trail Tales entries.

Read more about Nat Greene trying to drive me toward surrender at the blog.

Contact Eddie Wooten at 373-7093 or eddie.wooten@news-record.com