Next weekend is going to be HUGE for runners, walkers, bikers, hikers, swimmers and triathletes throughout the Valley, with an amazing array of events that will help you get your sweat on. Here are five to choose from if you want to get in on the action:
• The Chandler Challenge: Saturday, October 17, 8 a.m. at Tumbleweed Park. Consists of a 5K fun run-walk and a 10K run. The 5K course leaves Tumbleweed Park, crossing McQueen Road, and heads south on the Paseo Trail with the turnaround at Queen Creek Road. The 10K course leaves Tumbleweed Park, crossing McQueen Road, and heads north on the Paseo Trail to the turnaround at Chandler Boulevard. Benefits the Chandler Education Foundation and Chandler Unified School District. For more information, visit http://www.4peaksracing.com/ or call (623) 330-0913.
• 18th Annual Frank Kush 5K and Family & Dog Run: Saturday, October 17, 8:35 a.m. at Tempe Town Lake. Great event for families and athletes of all ages, shapes, sizes and species. You’ll see lots of strollers, dogs, runners and walkers. For more information, visit http://www.arizonarunningeventsco.com/kushregistration.htm or call (480) 921-9341.
• JCC Scottsdale Fall Festival Adult & Youth & Relay Sprint Triathlon & Duathlon: Sunday, October 18, 7 a.m. at the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center, Scottsdale. The adult triathlon consists of a 250-yard swim, 9.5-mile bike and a 2-mile run. The youth triathlon consists of a 100-yard swim, 3.1-mile bike and a half-mile run. This is a great event for people wanting to dip their toes into triathlon for the first time. For more information, visit http://www.trifamilyracing.com/ or call (602) 564-0717.
• Arizona State Fair 5K Run/Walk: Sunday, October 18, 8 a.m. at the Arizona State Fairgrounds, 1826 W. McDowell Rd., Phoenix. The cool thing about this race in that participants get a T-shirt and four free tickets to the Arizona State Fair and are also entered into drawings for ride tickets and VIP concert tickets. For more information, visit http://www.runningmasters.net/ or call (480) 220-2019.
• Ride and Stride Series Race #2: Sunday, October 18, 8 a.m. at Market Street Park at DC Ranch, 20715 N. Pima Rd., Scottsdale. This unique event features a time-trial bike send off with participants starting at five-second intervals. This bike-run event is perfect for those wannabe triathletes who want to get into multisport competitions, but are still worried about the swim. For more information, visit http://pinnaclepeakevents.com/?page_id=157 or call (602) 206-4915.
The best of the rest:
• Arizona Open Water Swim Series #4: Saturday, October 17, 10 a.m. Lake Pleasant Harbor Marina , Peoria. 4,000-meter open water swim and 2,000-meter open water swim. Call (480) 460-5052 for more information.
• Arizona Road Racers South Mountain Classic 20K and 5K: Sunday, October 18, 7:30 a.m., South Mountain Park, 10409 S. Central Ave., Phoenix. For more information, visit http://www.arizonaroadracers.com/ or call (602) 954-8341.
