Excitement is building toward the games of the XXIX Olympiad, which run from Aug 8 through 24 in Beijing, China.

The Olympic Games are America's quadrennial dip into the sport of track and field. Normally relegated to the corners of sports coverage, track and field takes center stage for few weeks every four years.

If you're like me, you'll be glued to the TV screen. Olympic track and field is exciting because it showcases the best athletes in the world.

But why is it the excitement lasts only for a few weeks in August every four years? There are plenty of other opportunities to watch track and field.

The largest national championship meet in the world is held a little more than a month before the Olympic Games.

The U.S. Olympic Team Trials features more than 1,000 American athletes vying for a chance to compete for their country.

The last Olympic Trials in Sacramento, Calif, in 2004 attracted more than 350,000 fans. This year's event, to be held at the University of Oregon, might be even larger. Major track meets in this venue typically sell out.

You might not get to be among the throng at the event, but you can watch in the comfort of your living room when NBC and the USA Network televise the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials from June 27 through July 6.

If you prefer your sports live, get out there before it's gone. High schools and colleges are in the midst of seasons that go by as quickly as the 100-meter dash.

Most high school dual or tri-meets are held after school; larger invitationals last into the evening or are staged on weekends.

If you go to a meet, don't just sit in the bleachers. The finish line is a guaranteed adrenaline rush, but there are quite a number of equally thrilling vantage points around the track.

Be sure to stand in a location where spectators are allowed, and cheer, don't offer coaching advice. Running alongside an athlete or coaching from the sidelines is not allowed and could result in an athlete's disqualification.

Don't forget to visit the field events. You'll be amazed how far these athletes can hurl a discus or javelin, heave that heavy shot or soar through the air in the jumping events.

Some of our teams will travel to Philadelphia from April 24 to 26 to compete in the historic Penn Relays. The Penn Relays Carnival, celebrating its 114th year, is the oldest continuously run track meet in the country.

Penn Relays Carnival will hold more than 425 races in more than 33 hours of competitions over three days. The field includes men and women, girls and boys from age 8 through 80 and older.

Tickets are still available for this event. Distance runners might want to sign up for the Penn Relays Distance Classic 20K and 5K, to be held April 20, for a tour of Philadelphia.

Friday and Wednesday, 12:15 p.m.: Lunchtime run, Cabot. Run 6 to 7 easy miles with me from St. Luke Church. 724-352-2777 or pneubert@stlukecabot.orgSaturday, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. 724-898-2525 or www.runpa.comSaturday, 8 a.m.: Hot Harry's Group Run, North Park. Run from 7 to 20 miles. Leaves from Lt. Stone Field.Saturday, 8 a.m.: Run to Read 5K, Millvale. 484-894-4675 or bappitt@gmail.comSaturday, 8:30 a.m.: Martha's Run, Mount Lebanon. Choice of 10K, 2-mile run or 1-mile walk to honor FBI Special Agent Martha Dixon Martinez. 412-456-2859Saturday, 9 a.m.: Great Shamokin Path 5K, Rural Valley. 724-783-7040 or rerc@asd.k12.pa.usSaturday, 10 a.m.: YRTC 10-Mile Run and 5K Run-Walk, Connellsville. 724-628-5500 or info@greaterconnellsville.orgSaturday, 10:30 a.m.: A Rabbit Runs Through It 5K, Latrobe. 724-537-4331 or dawn@latroberecreation.orgSunday, 10 a.m.: Oak Hollow XC Trail Challenge, Irwin. 412-303-8610 or holdercm@westinghouse.comApril 19, 9 a.m.: Big Blue Quest 5K, North Park. Raises awareness of colon and rectal cancer. 412-359-3902 or ksainiak@wpahs.orgApril 19, 9 a.m.: Genesis Riverside Run, Heinz Field, Pittsburgh. 412-766-2693 or tricia@genesispgh.orgApril 19, 9 a.m.: Armstrong County YMCA Big Foot Half Marathon and 5K, Kittanning. 724-545-9622 or kknepshield@yahoo.comApril 20, 7:30 a.m.: Penn Relays Distance Classic, Philadelphia. Choice of 20K or 5K. 215-898-5462 or www.active.comApril 20, 10 a.m.: Burgh's Pizza and Wing Pub 10K Run- 2-Mile Fun Walk, Cecil.May 3, 8 a.m.: Flying Pig 10K, Cincinnati. Part of Flying Pig Marathon Weekend events. 513-721-7447May 3, 10:15 a.m.: Flying Pig 5k, Cincinnati. See above.May 3, 5 p.m.: Altoona Curve Home Run, Altoona. Choice of 5-mile run or 2-mile run-walk. 814-695-4467 or contactus@holidaysburgareaymca.orgMay 4, 6:30 a.m.: Flying Pig Marathon and Half Marathon, Cincinnati. Quality race in its 10th year. 513-721-7447May 11, 8:30 a.m.: Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 5K, Pittsburgh. Largest running-walking event in the area with competitive 5K run, 5K fun run-walk and 1-mile walk. www.komenpittsburgh.org

<B>Campus Classic 5K, April 5: </B>Nicholas Parton, 1st Overall M, 17:14; Jackie Bonnanno, 1st Overall W, 21:33; Bob Cunningham, 20:28Send comments and suggestions to: 435 Cherry Valley Road, Saxonburg, Pa. 16056. Phone: 724-352-4395. E-mail: bigp16@connecttime.net