Think you might like to run a marathon? Godiva's 18-week program is timed to prepare runners for the Memphis Marathon on Dec. 1. But the one on most of the newbie marathoners' minds: The inaugural City of Oaks Marathon in Raleigh on Nov. 4. (If you thought Raleigh already had a marathon, you're probably thinking of the snake-bit Raleigh Marathon, which ended in 2002.)

Godiva's Gary Schultz says that newbies eyeing City of Oaks probably should have begun training a month ago. But if you already have some miles in, you can pick up Godiva's intermediate Marathon Training Program, which also meets Saturday mornings for a long run.

The City of Oaks course differs greatly from that of the old Raleigh Marathon. Sites along the urban stretch of the route will include Fayetteville Street, the Capitol, St. Mary's College, Pullen Park, Cameron Village, Glenwood South, Meredith College, N.C. State and Carter-Finley Stadium. Marathoners will also tackle 3 1/2 miles of hilly, gravel trail in Umstead Park. Those not ready to go 26.2 miles can sign up for the half-marathon, which does not include the Umstead Park stretch. Register online at http://cityofoaksmarathon.com.

Other marathons within the training window include: New York Marathon on Nov. 4; Richmond Marathon Nov. 10; Outer Banks Marathon, Nov. 11; Philadelphia Marathon, Nov. 18; Charlotte and Kiawah Island (South Carolina) marathons, both on Dec. 8. For details on joining the Carolina Godiva Track Club's Marathon Training Program, see the club Web site at www.carolinagodiva.org.

For more info on Hal Higdon's training programs, visit: www.halhigdon.com.