Beijing this past week has been a beehive of sports activity. Each day there are hundreds of games, competitions, races, meets and matchups pitting athletes from around the globe against each other.
Half a world away in Colorado, this weekend will be similarly hopping. It’s a sprightly two days coming for runners, riders, racers and swimmers. And there’s plenty of space to go around for the weekend warrior, large or small:
Cycling
• The Venus de Miles cycling race Sunday, according to organizers, is Colorado’s first women’s-only bike ride. Further, the supported, noncompetitive event is one of only 12 in the country.
Two routes will take cyclists through Boulder County, with start lines and finish lines both in Longmont. A 65-mile course and a 35-mile course will give riders an option (either out of breath or about to throw up).
Check for more information.
Running
• The Palisade Peach Festival 5-mile run, racing through Western Slope peach orchards Saturday, has become a large draw during the town’s annual party.
The Palisade peach, like Kramer’s much-ballyhooed Mackinaw peaches in “Seinfeld,” are certainly festival- worthy during their late summer crop window every year.
This, the 40th edition of the festival, will sport picturesque views starting at 8 a.m. And for those with competitive aspirations, but no running ability, the peach-eating contest follows later at 2 p.m. (palisadepeachfest.com).
• Arvada’s Endurance Challenge Run and Walk on Saturday, hosted by the Arvada Police Department, will kick off in Olde Town starting at 10 a.m.
That the route is just 1/2-mile long should make the endurance part of the race a snap. It benefits child victims of sexual assault and abuse (arvadapd.org).
Triathlon
• The Iron Kid’s Triathlon in Durango on Saturday will send kids swimming, biking and running through town, beginning and ending at the Durango Community Rec Center.
And, as an added benefit, the race includes membership in the USA Triathlon Association, setting up future full-on triathlons when the kids grow up (durangogov.org).
AROUND TOWN
Sleds + hockey = fierce competition.
For those in the know, wheelchair basketball is one of the most physical, demanding sports going. And, occasionally, one of the nastiest.
But not everyone wants to hoop it up. Some prefer the ice. For them, there’s sled hockey.
On Saturday in Colorado Springs, the city’s firefighters will face off with the city’s police officers in a charity exhibition sled hockey game to raise money for the Colorado Springs Sled Hockey Association.
Sled hockey, a modified version of hockey for people with disabilities, sends players around the ice on tubular sleds with shortened sticks — equipment that can be costly. Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. game at Sertich Ice Arena can be found at .
STAY ON THE COUCH
Plenty of good baseball.
As Troy Renck summarized Thursday, Rocktober is about to become Golftober for the sinking Rockies. But there are a bunch of gripping division races brewing across the big leagues.
One, in the NL East, has the Phillies, Mets and Marlins battling for the top spot, with just 2 1/2 games separating them heading into Thursday’s slate. That race will expand this weekend, topped out with ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball telecast, with Philadelphia traveling to San Diego to take on the Padres.
The Phillies have the league leader in home runs and RBIs in first baseman Ryan Howard. His 33 homers and 102 RBIs are tops in the NL. And second baseman Chase Utley is close behind with 30 homers.
Phillies lefty Cole Hamels (9-8, 3.32 ERA) goes against right-hander Cha Seung Baek (4-7, 5.20) at 6 p.m.
WHAT WE’D LIKE TO SEE
Phelps did it swimmingly.
Through the unrelenting power of television, the world may be nearing its saturation point with Michael Phelps. But there’s more than just the American swimmer’s gold medals that will outlive us all.
After the U.S. 400-meter relay team edged the favored French team for gold on Monday, Phelps was quoted on the French news website Le Nouvel Observateur consoling Alain Bernard, France’s anchor leg.
Bernard, before the race, downplayed Phelps’ ability and said the French would smash the U.S. team.
Phelps, not perturbed, said in response that Bernard is a champion and all champions know disappointments. And only through disappointment can a champion rebound.
A champion and a gentleman.
WEAK IN REVIEW
No climate control in San Diego.
Where did the negative response come from to Brian Giles’ dissing of the Red Sox this week?
The Padres tried to trade the veteran Giles to the still-contending Red Sox, but Giles turned down the trade, his contractual prerogative.
Why is it surprising that Giles would rather play for the cellar-dwelling Padres than the World Series champions? Why is his loyalty criticized?
Wonders never cease.
