Don’t be alarmed by those green cherries associated with the Cherry Creek Sneak this year. The race is plenty ripe in its 27th year, but it’s going greener to tout its environmental friendliness.
Organizers intend to recycle nearly all of the trash created by Sunday’s race, which marks the beginning of the road racing season for many. One sponsor, the Sports Authority, is providing reusable shopping bags in lieu of plastic finisher’s goodie bags. Denver Water will be there with a water trailer to refill bottles.
“The green piece is something we’re really proud of,” race spokeswoman Amy Downing said. “We’re working really hard to do a good job with that.”
Registration numbers have been tracking slightly ahead of last year, prompting Downing to predict 10,000 entrants.
There has been a significant increase in the number of teams this year, with more than 65 registering. Teams have a minimum of 10 runners, and a portion of their entry fees goes to the school of their choice. The Sneak also contributes funds to its partner, the Colorado Governor’s Council for Physical Fitness.
Every race bib will have a tear tag good for a free Spicy Pickle sandwich or salad, and every child 17 and younger will get a voucher for two free tickets to a Rapids game. The post-race party, with an obstacle course and a beer garden, will run until noon.
“In a year when people are looking at how they spend their money,” Downing said, “we feel it’s a great way for a family to spend the morning, do something healthy, be active and still get a lot of great freebies.”
The 5-mile main event starts at 9:15 a.m. It will be preceded by a 5K (8 a.m.), a 1/2-mile fun run for kids 8 and younger (8:20 a.m.) and a 1-mile “student sprint” (8:55 a.m.). The 1-mile event actually measures more than 1.3 miles, but a timing sensor will be placed at the 1-mile mark for those treating it as a time trial.
“We got a lot of e-mails last year with people saying, ‘Your 1-mile wasn’t a mile,’ ” Downing said. “We talked to the timing company, so they’re going to have mats at 1 mile.”
Racers can register online until noon today or in person until noon Saturday. Find more information at .
27th Cherry Creek Sneak
What: A 5K, 5-mile, 1-mile student sprint and a K-mile kids’ fun run
When: Sunday, 9 a.m.
Where: At First Avenue and Steele Street in Denver
Info:
John Meyer: 303-954-1616 or jmeyer@denverpost.com
AROUND TOWN
14ers are on fire.
The Nuggets blew through the first two games of their first-round series with New Orleans thanks to balanced contributions from the lineup. The Colorado 14ers — the Nuggets’ affiliate in the NBA Development League — have done the same in breezing through the NBADL playoffs.
Including a 136-131 overtime win over the Utah Flash in Game 1 of the D-League championship series on Wednesday, the 14ers have been, by far, the best team in the league the past seven weeks. They had seven players score in double figures Wednesday. Colorado returns home for Game 2 of the best-of-three finals tonight, for a 7 p.m. game against Utah at the Broomfield Event Center.
Since joining the D-League in 2006, the 14ers have qualified for each of the three postseasons and are playing in their second finals series. Game 3, if necessary, will be in Broomfield on Monday.
Nick Groke, The Denver Post
STAY ON THE COUCH
Kudos for Versus’ coverage.
A welcome change from overblown NFL broadcasts, the NHL playoffs on Versus are a classy undertaking.
Come Sunday in the fall, Fox, CBS and NBC seem to be in a competition to see which network can fit the most talking heads behind a single desk for halftime commentary. With Shannon Sharpe, Dan Marino, Howie Long, etc., there are something like 45 people talking over each other.
The NHL coverage on VS is different. Led by veteran broadcaster Bill Patrick, and including occasional commentary from Mark Messier, Ed Olczyk and Brian Engblom, among others, the games are able to stand on their own, outside the annoyance of a talking head.
As fascinating as the NHL playoffs get, it’s nice to watch the games without the muck. Look for the end of several more series this weekend, with the first round nearing its end.
GET OFF THE COUCH
Buffalo runners.
Saturday’s Colorado football spring game won’t be the only sporting event in Boulder that day. The first Forever Buffs 5K will run through the CU campus starting at 8 a.m., winding through the red-roofed buildings near Folsom Field.
Organized by the CU senior class and the CU Alumni Association, the Forever Buffs 5K should be a casual, early spring run. Or, if you’re one of the more serious Boulder runners — and there are plenty — perhaps the 5K could be a light warm-up for Sunday’s Cherry Creek Sneak, which in turn is a warm-up for the rest of the racing season. Check for information.
WHAT WE’D LIKE TO SEE
A sweet homecoming.
Finally returning home after a three-game road swing, the Rapids host the Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday at DSG Park in Commerce City. Only one of Colorado’s first five games has been at home, a 2-1 victory over the Kansas City Wizards.
But the road hasn’t been unkind to the Rapids. They went 1-1-1 on the trip, including a 3-2 win over the host Galaxy on April 4.
Saturday’s game — a 7:30 p.m. start, airing on Altitude — will be the 52nd meeting between the teams — L.A. is the Rapids’ most common opponent. The Galaxy holds a 26-20-5 record in the series, but it is winless this season.
