Running is not a dependable way to earn a living and take care of a family, but…

What if instead of playing poker or fishing over the weekends you choose to run half- and full marathons?

And what if I told you that if you are a really good runner you can make up to $4,000 a month by winning a race every weekend, depending of course on the season and month of the year?

I've been in a few footraces myself in which the top winner won either $1,000 or $500 and the first ten male and female finishers each received different cash prices.

If running is your thing, you can make some serious pocket money on the side by winning a race or two.

Here is a prime running-for-cash opportunity in Maryland to take place on OCTOBER 14, 2006:

The Under Armour Baltimore Marathon – Top 10 overall male and female finishers get the following:

1st -- $15,000; 2nd -- $5,000; 3rd -- $3,000; 4th -- $1,500; 5th -- $1,000; 6th -- $750; 7th -- $600; 8th -- $450; 9th -- $300; and 10th -- $200.

Master's Marathon is open to runners age 40 and over and it pays the following to the top 3 overall male and female finishers:

1st -- $1,000; 2nd -- $750; 3rd -- $500.

Maryland Resident Marathon Bonus -- Top 3 overall male and female Maryland residents are paid:

1st -- $1,000; 2nd -- $750; 3rd -- $500.

Baltimore Resident Marathon Bonus -- Top 3 overall male and female Baltimore City residents are paid:

1st -- $1,000; 2nd -- $750; 3rd -- $500.

Armed Forces Challenge Marathon Bonus -- Top 3 overall male and female finishers are paid:

1st -- $1,000; 2nd -- $750; 3rd -- $500.

First Time Marathoner -- -- Top 3 overall male and female finishers who are running their first marathons are paid:

1st -- $1,000; 2nd -- $750; 3rd -- $500.

Top Terp Marathoner -- Top 3 overall male and female finishers who are graduates of or still a student enrolled in University of Maryland are paid:

1st -- $1,000; 2nd -- $750; 3rd -- $500.

Carefirst Bluecross Blueshield Half-Marathon -- Top 5 overall male and female finishers are paid:

1st -- $2,000; 2nd -- $1,000; 3rd -- $500; 4th -- $300; 5th -- $100.

Master's Half Marathon is open to runners age 40 and over and it pays the following to the top 3 overall male and female finishers:

1st -- $300; 2nd -- $200; 3rd -- $100.

United Way 5K -- Top 5 overall male and female finishers are paid:

1st -- $500; 2nd -- $400; 3rd -- $300; 4th -- $200; 5th -- $100.

Wheelchair Athletes are offered separate divisions for male and female athletes in the marathon, half-marathon and 5K races. The top 3 male and female finishers are paid:

1st -- $300; 2nd -- $200; 3rd -- $100.

Check out the official web site http://www.thebaltimoremarathon.com/ for more info and good luck!

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