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The N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation says it is preparing to start work on a $370,000 project to expand parking and improve trails and a road at Umstead State Park in West Raleigh.

The Sycamore Bike and Bridle Trailhead will be closed for the construction, starting in mid-October.

The improvements will:

* Add 50 parking spaces to the park visitor center, which has 38 spaces now. The parking lot sometimes is crowded with runners and cyclists who use Umstead trails.
* Upgrade and smooth the one-mile gravel road from the main paved park road to the Sycamore trailhead.
* Separate 18 equestrian trailer parking spaces from a 46-space parking area for other users at the Sycamore trailhead.
* Eliminate the one-way loop road around the trailhead and link the trailhead to the multi-use trail system with a new 1,000-foot trail section. ... [MORE]

The sound of the first footsteps on the course will be heard about 6 a.m. Saturday on a big day of running in the Triangle.

The early start on an April morning comes because the runners have a long way to go in the Umstead 100-Mile Endurance Run at Umstead Park. The field is full, but you can always cheer on the competitors.

Below is a look at some of the area's other runing events this weekend and next. Find more events in a variety of sports in the Play! Recreational Sports Calendar.

Registration is under way for the fifth annual City of Oaks Marathon and Rex Healthcare Half Marathon, which will take place at 7 a.m. Nov. 6 and will feature a new start-finish location.

Competitors can register at www.cityofoaksmarathon.com for the 26.2-mile marathon and the 13.1-mile half marathon.

The new start and finish line will be at N.C. State’s Bell Tower.