Running Numbers

A scholarly look at the digits that matter.

by Nick Norlen

Running Numbers presents: the springtime sporting person's special.

$660,000,000 Amount of money raised since 1988 by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training, the world's largest endurance sports training program. The Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter is now recruiting for the Philadelphia Insurance Triathlon in June and the Philadelphia Distance Run in September. Visit www.teamintraining.org to register or sponsor a participant. Like my friend Jeanne MacMillan. Because I certainly can't be counted on to do it.

100 Percent of each City 6 5k Charity Run registration fee — $15 on race day, March 31 — that will be donated to the American Heart Association. Those only in shape enough for guilt trips can help sans physical exertion at http://donate.americanheart.org.

21Number of days left to sign up for the City to Shore MS150 Bike Tour at nationalmssociety.org before the $25 registration fee increases to $35. Not to say a 75-mile-a-day bike trek across New Jersey isn't worth every penny.

18 Number of Pennsylvania counties — the southeastern 18, thank God — in which trout fishing season begins March 31, not April 14 like the rest of the sorry state. Search YouTube for "Pennsylvania Trout Fishing 2007" to catch the Fish and Boat Commission commercial announcing the season. As if you haven't already!

4 Number of times between March 29 and 31 that the Versus channel will air the match between the Philadelphia Fire and the New York Clash, which are, of course, teams in the World Combat League, a martial arts competition league presented by Chuck Norris. The World Combat League does not benefit any charities, but Chuck Norris will gladly help you make a donation to the blood bank. Register at www.roundhousekicktotheface.org.

Can I get your digits? I want to hear about the numerals you need to see. Let a number runner know at runningnumbers@gmail.com.