Escalante Days bike rodeo, race and softball tournament
The Dolores Rotary Club is sponsoring a bike rodeo immediately after the Kiddie Parade on Friday evening Aug. 10. The event will begin about 6:30 p.m., and will be held in the parking lot behind Dolores Medical Center, located at 507 Central Ave. All participants will receive a helmet and a gift bag. Participants may also register for a bicycle drawing. On Saturday, Aug. 11, is the 14th annual Escalante Days Mountain Bike Race. The race will start at 9:50 a.m., at 5th and Central. There will be cash prizes for winners in the expert and singlespeed race categories, and prizes for first, second and third place finishers in beginner and sport race classes. Those beating the expert course record will be awarded a cash prize, as will the first rider to cross the cattle guard at the top of the hill. Proceeds from the race go to benefit Rotary youth, community and international service projects. Volunteers are needed. Contact Jason Strickland at jeliotstrickland@gmail.com or 676-1129 to volunteer. Register online at www.active.com by Wednesday, Aug. 8, or on race day from 8 to 9 a.m. in front of the Dolores Medical Office. Preregistration entry fee is $35 and day of race entry fee is $45. Course maps and additional information are available at www.clubrunner.ca/dolores. For additional information regarding both events, please contact Neal Stephens at 564-4440. On Friday and Saturday, the Escalante Days softball tournament will once again take place in Flanders and Joe Rowell Parks in Dolores. Call 882-4018 for more information.
Medicine Horse golf tournament
The Medicine Horse Masters golf tournament will be Saturday, Aug. 11, at the South Forty Golf Course, located at 25500 Road H. Registration is at 8 a.m. with a scramble format/shotgun start at 8:30. There will also be a driving range challenge, closest to the pin and longest putt challenges. Cost is $25 per player ($100 per 4-person team). Entry fee includes nine holes of golf, course drinks and lunch. All event proceeds go to Medicine Horse programs. Please preregister by calling the local Medicine Horse Center at 533-7403.
Free backpacking trip
The San Juan Mountains Association, in partnership with the San Juan National Forest and BLM Tres Rios office, is offering a free backpacking trip the weekend of Aug. 11-12, led by certified interpretive guide MK Thompson. Whether you are new to backpacking or want to share your experience with others, this trip will be a fun and educational adventure. The trip will travel around the Four Mile Lake loop, a 12.4-mile loop in the San Juan National Forest. Optional side trips will explore peaks and other lakes. An optional informational meeting will precede the trip. Space is limited, so reserve your spot today by calling 759-9113 or e-mail MK@sjma.org.
Ute Mountain Wolf Pack football
Ute Mountain Wolf Pack football in Towaoc is now accepting registration forms for youth tackle football. Ongoing registrations will be held at the Ute Mountain Recreation Center for kids aged 8 through 15. Cost of registration is $35 and practices begin in early August. For more information, call Nick Traweek at 564-5752 or 570-7437.
Local runners invited
All area runners are invited to join the Montezuma Milers Summer Running Group every Tuesday and Thursday evening throughout the summer. This informal, noncompetitive event offers runners of all skill levels the opportunity to meet other runners and to put on some mileage. Local high school cross-country runners are especially encouraged to attend to build a solid base for the fall season. Meet in front of the Cortez Recreation Center at 6 p.m. Contact coach Paul Koops for details at 565-4129.
