Reg Richard doesn't mind a little heat.

        He didn't even mind turning 50 this month.

        As a challenge, the marathon runner from Pleasant Plain will run in the Badwater Ultramarathon — in Badwater, Calif., on July 25-27 — to help raise money to train service dogs for the disabled.

        “It's in Death Valley,” he said. “It didn't get its name by accident. The temperature reaches 120 degrees — 200 degrees of radiant heat off the road. It's an oven, to say the least.”

        The race is 135 miles from Badwater (elevation, 282 feet below sea level) to the Portals on Mount Whitney (8,360 feet above).

        “Badwater will definitely be my biggest challenge,” said Mr. Richard, a physical therapist in Dayton. “I've done 100 miles before in another run. But I'm really not sure what I'll find in Badwater. A big problem is the distance factor. It's the largest run I'll make, and it's pretty much an awesome run, too — all uphill. There's some real altitude at the end.

        “A lot of ultramarathoning is done in parks, so the run is easier on your feet and joints. With the Badwater run being on the hot pavement, things will be tough. The hardest part is the heat.”

        He must take his own support crew: his brother, two sons, a nephew and Mr. Richard's wife, who helps him raise and train the dogs at their Circle Tail nonprofit group in Warren County.

        The group does not charge people for the dogs, which are used by people with hearing impairments, seizures and other problems.

        All money raised by Mr. Richard's participation in the ultramarathon will be donated to the group. He said he will use no donations to help pay for his expenses.

        He may be reached at Circle Tail, 8834 Carey Lane, Pleasant Plain, OH 45162.

        HAMILTON — The Fort Hamilton Jazz Band will perform a free concert at the Wolf Gazebo, in the 900 block of Campbell Avenue, at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.

        The program is sponsored by Musicians Union Local 31-321, the Performance Trust Fund and Hamilton's Department of Parks and Recreation.

        MIDDLETOWN — The Middletown alumni chapter of Miami University and Miami University Middletown will pay for an endowed scholarship for students at the school.

        Three fund-raising events are planned to raise $15,000. The chapter's existing scholarship fund has $10,000.

        “What that means is that the endowment would be a permanent fund, guaranteeing scholarship awards to Middletown-area Miami students from the earnings of the fund,” said Sherry Pieratt, the school's director of development.

        Using the theme “With a little help from our friends,” the school plans a pancake breakfast 7:30-10:30 a.m. Aug. 1 in Hawk Haven, in Johnston Hall. Tickets cost $5.

        At 8 p.m. Sept. 8, the school will present a group made up of four pianos and two vocalists — all Miami graduates. For each $20 ticket sold, $15 will go directly to the scholarship fund. Tickets may be obtained from the Miami box office. Call 529-3200.

        The third event, a golf outing at Weatherwax Golf Club, will be held later. The cost is $75, including dinner and 18 holes. Details: Ms. Pieratt, 727-3463.

       Randy McNutt's column appears Saturdays. Contact him at 755-4158 or at The Cincinnati Enquirer, 7700 Service Center Drive, West Chester, OH 45069.

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