Packed on a few pounds over the holidays?
The 2012 Valley Runner of the Year Series may be the kick-start you need to fight the battle of the bulge.Entering its 26th year, the Valley Runner of the Year Series pits Fresno-area runners against one another over a 10-month schedule of races in three age divisions: open (39 and under), masters (40-49) and seniors (50 and over).All series races have a charitable cause, meaning your health isn't the only thing that benefits. For example, proceeds from Saturday's Dream Run help provide college scholarships for local students and expand Break the Barriers' Buddy Program in area schools.The 15 events are divided into three point categories (10, 20 and 30) based on factors such as history and attendance.A runner's final point total is determined by his or her three best finishes out of the five races in each category. After the last race, the winners in each age division are honored at a champions' breakfast.Winners from 2011 were J.K. Lundberg of Fresno (men's open), Jolene Zamudio of Clovis (women's open), Keith Jackson of Fresno (men's masters), Joanna Vitale of Fresno (women's masters), Nestor Ayala of Coalinga (men's seniors) and Lisa Hunter of Merced (women's seniors).Lundberg and Ayala were repeat winners from 2010.To take advantage of the best running weather, 10 of the 15 events are scheduled from March through mid-June. There are no races in July or August.Entry fees for Saturday's Dream Run at Woodward Park are $18 in advance and $20 on race day starting at 6:15 a.m. The 5-kilometer main event, worth 20 series points, begins at 7:55 a.m. Details: breakthebarriers.org.