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Claude Hicks Jr.'s passion for running has provided many opportunities to appreciate nature.

On July 26, Hicks completed the Kilauea Volcano Marathon – his 100th run of 26.2 miles or longer – in 4 hours, 37 minutes, 36 seconds. This year, the course had to be altered, Hicks said, because the volcano was spewing sulfur and other toxins. Runners were routed away from the lava fields.

"It wasn't quite as tough as I had hoped," said Hicks, 48. "The night before, I was disappointed. The day of, I thought: 'It was still a tough run.' "

Hicks, a resident of Watauga, didn't road race until his mother invited him to join her for the Walt Disney World Marathon in Orlando in 2004 . His mother had health issues and was encouraged to register for the event by her doctor, so she did so to get in shape.

"I've been hooked ever since," Hicks said. "It's the most expensive hobby I've ever had."

In June, he finished the Running with The Devil 50-mile ultramarathon in the Mohave Desert in 12:49.21. Next week, he's headed to Alaska. In October, he plans to complete his quest to run a marathon in all 50 states. He will run the Louisville Marathon, near where he grew up.

Hicks said he typically runs at least six miles on weekdays. He runs 20 to 40 miles on weekends.

One of his favorite runs was the Sunday he took off from his front door and ran to Decatur. He called his wife to pick him up when he was tired – 37 miles later.

Other times, he'll run in the middle of the night. His favorite course is the 5-mile loop around Texas Motor Speedway at 2 a.m.

"It's kind of a spiritual, relaxing thing," he said. "It's so dark. There are the stars, the armadillos and the skunks."

Sadly, he said, cancer has stricken his mother, and she can no longer run.

"A lot of people can't run," Hicks said. "It's the best thing that has ever happened to me."

And for that, he will always think of and thank his mother.

Briefly: Highland Village twins Luke and Logan Hendrix had strong showings last month at the Amateur Athletic Union Junior Olympics in Detroit. Luke won the 3,000-meter run in 10 minutes, 6.89 seconds and was second in the 1,500 in 4:46.74. Logan placed third in the 3,000 (10:11:54) and the 1,500 (4:47.72). ... Molly Tucker of Southlake ran a girls 12-and-under state record 5:23.21 in the 1,600 at the Texas Amateur Athletic Federation's Games of Texas state meet in San Antonio last month. She ran a 2:28.88 to win the 800. Earlier last month, she swept both events at the TAAF Region IV meet in Lewisville, running 5:21.42 and 2:30.23, respectively.

SATURDAY, AUG. 9 – McKinney Historical Run 5K, 221 N. Tennessee St., McKinney, 7:30 a.m., $15 by mail, $18 online, $20 race day, www.mckinneyhistorical run.com.

SUNDAY, AUG. 10 – Summer Bath Run 15K Run and 5K Run/Walk, Bath House, White Rock Lake, Dallas, 7:30 a.m., 15K $30 through Saturday, $35 race day, 5K $25 through Saturday, $30 race day, 214-821-0909 or www.thrustonracing.com.

SUNDAY, AUG. 10 – IRP Wool Capital Triathlon (1500-meter swim/40K Bike/10K run), Middle Concho River & Boat Ramp, San Angelo, Individuals: $90 Aug. 8-9. Teams: $140 Aug. 8-9, No race day registration. 817-707-0500 or www.ironheadrp.com. (USA Triathlon membership required. Annual fee $39. One-day permit $10.)

TUESDAY, AUG. 12 – Plano Pacers Prediction Race 5K, Schimelpfenig Library, 5024 Custer Road, Plano, 7 p.m., free, 972-967-7223 or www.planopacers.org.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 13 – James Thruston's Jogger 5K Summer Series Finale at Bachman Lake, just east of the Bachman Recreation Center, 2750 Bachman Drive, 7 p.m., $20, 214-821-0909.

THURSDAYS, AUG. 14-28 – Trinity 5000 5K and 1K, Trinity Trail Park, Fort Worth, 7:15 p.m., 817-531-2381 or trininty5000running@yahoo.com.

SATURDAY, AUG. 16 – Life without limits for people with disabilities 5K and 1-mile walk and Roll, Reverchon Park, Dallas, 8 a.m., $25, 214-351-2500, ext. 253.

SUNDAY, AUG. 17 – Fort Worth Runners Club, Watermelon 5K Run & 2-person Watermelon Relay, Trinity Trail near River Legacy Plaza Building, 1701 River Run, Fort Worth, 8 a.m., $8 members, $12 others, 817-654-5390 or www.fwrunners.org .

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 20 – Daylight to Darkness 5-Mile Run, Bath House, White Rock Lake, Dallas, 7 p.m., $22 through Sunday, $25 after, $30 race day, 214-821-0909 or www.thrustonracing.com.