 Outdoor News and Events Tecumseh Trail Marathon
God’s Country Off-Road Duathlon April 2; Lawrence, Kansas With short and long course options, this rugged bike-and-run race is well suited to beginners and seasoned athletes. 816-468-4831; http://multisportmarketing.tripod.com. Tour de Stooges May 7; Lebanon, Illinois We’re betting this is the only organized bike ride (five routes, ranging from 13 to 63 miles) that ends with a buffet lunch and marathon screening of The Three Stooges films. The entry fee for this tour of southwestern Illinois? Not much more than the price of a couple movie tickets ($15). www.stooges.rogerkramercycling.org. Heart of America Tri Series June-August; Iowa This series is made up of seven triathlons stretching across Iowa. Each race is put on by a different organization and offers a unique challenge, with the rural heartland as a background. 319-373-0741; www.pigmantri.com. Ozarks Greenways Adventure Race June 4; Brownbranch, Missouri The itinerary and distances of this multi-sport event are kept secret until race day. Coed teams of four take off on an eight- to 14-hour adventure along the North Fork River in the Ozark Mountains. 417-864-2015; www.ozarkgreenways.org. American Express Seahorse Challenge June 5; Kalamazoo, Michigan A 1.5K swim, 40K bike and 10K run are rolled into one event, where the proceeds go to the Special Olympics. 866-820-6036; www.3disciplines.com. Bicycle Ride Across Nebraska (BRAN) June 5-11; Harrison to Chalco Hills, Nebraska This year marks the 25th anniversary for this bike tour that has traveled through every county in Nebraska. The 519-mile ride combines small town hospitality with the beauty of the state’s rolling terrain. 402-397-9785; www.bran-inc.org. Afton Avalanche Mountain Bike Race June 12; Hastings, Minnesota This race follows an exciting and challenging course set in the rolling hills of the St. Croix River near the state borders of Minnesota and Wisconsin. 651-246-2451; www.mnscs.com. Urban Frog Adventure Race June 18; Milwaukee, Wisconsin This year’s Urban Frog will feature a course with new challenges designed for experienced to intermediate racers. Four-person, coed teams compete in events such as inline skating, stair climbing, rappelling off a four-story building and a beach obstacle course. 414-271-7878; www.adventureracing.net. The Big Mick June 18; Deadwood, South Dakota This collection of four rides (32 to 109 miles long) offers the best chances to tour the Black Hills in a single day. Included in your registration fee are a pancake breakfast, trailside lunch, plenty of snacks and full mechanical support. 605-745-3463; www.thebigmick.org. Trail of Tears 100-Mile Race June 18; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Tough guys aren’t supposed to cry, but they might after facing this grueling bike race that covers 100 miles, seven cities, three counties, three lakes and one bad-ass river. 405-245-3811; www.havingfuninc.com. Hudson Pump & Run July 17; Hudson, Iowa Show your strength by pumping iron, then running a 5K in this unique event. You’ll get 15 seconds subtracted from your finish time for every bench press you do. Not into lifting? You can sign up just for the run. 319-983-2112; www.hudsonpumpandrun.active.com. AuSable River Canoe Marathon July 30-31; Grayling to Oscoda, Michigan At the sound of the starter’s pistol, about 60 two-person teams complete a frenzied 1/8-mile run with their canoes through the streets of Grayling to the Au Sable River for the start of this 120-mile, 14- to 19-hour, nonstop race. 989-348-2921; www.ausablecanoemarathon.org. The Brick Urban Adventure Race August 13; Guthrie, Oklahoma Racers tackle the city’s man-made landscape through 4 to 8 hours of trekking, river kayaking, mountain biking, running, team challenges and special “mystery” tests. Kayaks, paddles and lifejackets are provided. 405-822-2877; www.havingfuninc.com. MS150 Bike Tour September 10-11; Kansas City, Missouri Get your heart pumping, your legs aching and your mind racing. The MS150 Bike Tour provides an opportunity for you to test your strength, while raising money to help people who have multiple sclerosis. 913-432-3926; www.msmidamerica.org. Park to Park 1/2 Marathon & 5K September 10; Waterloo, Iowa You’ll literally run over the river and through the woods in these flat-and-fast races. The course follows wooded bike trails along the Cedar River and through four different parks. www.trekmanracing.com. 2005 Harmon Hundred September 11; Wilmot, Wisconsin A 35-year tradition, this ride includes 25-, 50-, 75- and 100-mile options through the countryside of Wisconsin. www.wheelmen.com/harmon.htm. Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival September 16-18; Cable, Wisconsin A mass start kicks off this 40-mile mountain bike race that travels over the famed American Birkebeiner Ski Trail. Other events include a 16-mile race for novices, a map-and-compass challenge in the woods, a half-mile closed-circuit racecourse and a family event. 715-798-3594; www.cheqfattire.com. Iceman Cometh November 5; Kalkaska to Traverse City, Michigan A chance of pounding sleet, maybe some blinding snow or perhaps gear-jamming mud. Despite volatile conditions, this 27-mile mountain bike race attracts about 2,000 entrants. 231-922-5926; www.iceman.com. BEST CHARITY EVENTS Run for Justice April 30; Bismark, North Dakota Anyone who thinks lawyers are incapable of charity, take note. These annual 10K and 5K runs raise money for citizens who can’t afford legal services. 800-472-2685; www.sband.org. Ride for AIDS Chicago June 4-5; Chicago, Illinois This two-day, fully supported, 160-mile bike ride starts in Evanston, Illinois and heads to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, and back. 773-989-9400; www.rideforaids.org. Watertown Adventure Challenge June 11; Jefferson County, Wisconsin This menu of events includes 50 miles of trail running, canoeing, biking and orienteering. Proceeds benefit at-risk children in northern Wisconsin. 262-593-5283; www.adventureracing.net. BEST BEGINNER EVENTS Big Brown Trout Festival July 15-24; Alpena, Michigan All levels of experience are welcome to fish or watch, and there’s big bonus money for snagging the biggest brownie with a hook and line. 800-4-ALPENA (25-7362); www.alpenami-browntrout.com. LOWisA Regatta July 31-August 6; Lake of the Woods, Minnesota More than 100 boats race during this weeklong, family-oriented sailing regatta. Crew spots are available for those who want to lend a hand. www.lowisa.org. Ohio Trails Expo TBd; Nelsonville, Ohio If you’re ready to hit the trail but lack a few requisite skills (or maps and gear), start here, where you can attend clinics and chat with hiking, equipment and orienteering experts. All proceeds benefit the Buckeye Trails Association. 800-878-9767; www.ohiotrailsexpo.org. © Copyright 1999-2006 by Hooked on the Outdoors www.ruhooked.com |