GLENDALE — The centerpiece of Infinity Park is a large rectangular-shaped area of groomed grass, a concoction almost anybody could produce with some quality fertilizer and precise pitch measurements. But make no mistake, the field and the surrounding concrete seating areas are the most unique elements of the recently completed $50 million complex, and it’s the reason the city is banking on the game of rugby.
Glendale wants to create a Rocky Mountain niche for the popular European sport, partly because of the “fellowship” it promotes.
“Glendale has always had an identity of its own,” Mayor Pro-Tem Mike Dunafon said during Thursday’s Churchill Cup kickoff event. “This is our brand. . . . It’s a wonderful way to create fellowship across the world.”
The park is said to be the first rugby-specific complex in North America, and it wants to be known as Rugby USA. It includes lavish entertainment and athletic elements, such as an 8,600-square-foot ballroom and a 35,000-square-foot health and fitness center, but it was built to cater to local and international rugby enthusiasts. And so far, things have gone bloody good.
The preliminary rounds of the Churchill Cup, a professional international rugby tournament, will be played at Infinity Park for the second consecutive year beginning Saturday. Last summer, the tournament finals were at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City. This year, the finals are at the new Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J.
Next year and in the ensuing years, Infinity Park wants the Churchill Cup all to its own, and all signs point in that direction.
“We want to keep Churchill Cup here, to establish itself as a home,” said Nigel Melville, president and CEO of USA Rugby. “Every year, it would get better and more people would get behind it as it grows. This year, as opposed to last year, people know what’s coming. We want to continue that for years to come.”
Infinity Park’s stadium seats 4,000, but with a long-term Churchill Cup contract, it could expand to 12,000.
Churchill Cup doubleheaders begin Saturday with Canada facing Uruguay at 1 p.m., followed by USA vs. Russia at 3:30 p.m. The England Saxons and France A begin play Wednesday. The final doubleheader is June 13.
For many players, the Churchill Cup serves as a tryout stage for their country’s national team and play in next year’s World Cup.
“It’s an opportunity as players to show what they’ve got on the international stage, and younger players to step up and prove that they’re good enough to give it a go in the World Cup,” Saxons coach Stuart Lancaster said. “It’s a tremendous stage.”
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
Churchill Cup
International rugby union tournament:
Round-robin in Glendale
Saturday
Uruguay vs. Canada, 1 p.m.
Russia vs. USA Eagles, 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday
Russia vs. Saxons, 3 p.m.
Uruguay vs. France, 5:30 p.m.
June 13
Saxons vs. USA Eagles, 1 p.m.
France vs. Canada, 3:30 p.m.
Finals and consolations: June 19 at Red Bull Arena in New Jersey
By Mike Chambers. The Denver Post
WHAT WE’D LIKE TO SEE
Aurora Trails Day is here.
Saturday’s the day to run, walk, ride, crawl, roll, jump, jive and stroll through Aurora.
It’s Aurora Trails Day.
Starting at 9 a.m. at the Aurora Reservoir, a 5K run/walk will take trailers along a soft-surface course.
And, for bike riders, a GPS-led treasure hunt starts at 8:30 a.m. at the reservoir.
Check for information.
STAY ON THE COUCH
Rizzo takes one to the head.
The best in-game interviewer on the Colorado broadcast scene? Easily FSN’s Alanna Rizzo. The Rockies reporter can prod players like Jason Hammel into pitch-count recounts and curveball explanations, and she can break up any hum-drum game with needed notes.
But her job isn’t easy. As Jim Armstrong reported Wednesday, Rizzo was knocked in the head with an overthrown ball during batting practice in San Francisco, before the Rockies took on the Giants. She was walking up the steps next to the field and never saw the ball. Doctors from the Giants’ staff tended to her before and after the game.
She was expected to travel to Arizona for a three-game series between the Rox and Diamondbacks, starting tonight. Here’s to hoping she’ll be back on air with all her senses.
GET OFF THE COUCH
Running in Steamboat.
Marathon season continues in Colorado this weekend when the 29th running of the Steamboat Marathon kicks through the mountain town Sunday.
Spots in the half-marathon are all taken, but the full marathon and a 10K are open for runners. All races start at 7 a.m.
The course starts at 8,218 feet in elevation in Hahns Peak Village, paves through country road through the Elk River Valley and finishes downtown ().
Around the metro area, a couple of cancer-fighting runs:
• The Ovarian Cancer Race for Awareness at City Park in Denver, on Saturday at 8:15 a.m., helping the Colorado Ovarian Cancer Alliance ().
• The Leaves of Hope Run/Walk in Wheat Ridge, Sunday at 9 a.m., helping to raise funds for Lutheran Medical Center Cancer Center ().
• The Steps-n-Strides 5K Run/Walk at Clement Park in Littleton, Sunday at 7:30 a.m., for the Kyle O’Connell Foundation fighting pediatric brain tumors ().
AROUND TOWN
Cycling races ready to roll.
Like a starter gun for the summer bike season, the Elephant Rock Cycling Festival in Castle Rock kicks off a wave of two-wheel races that will dot Colorado for months.
That season-long wave starts with a tidal crush this weekend. Elephant Rock, now in its 23rd year, includes six races. The 100- and 62-mile courses are filled to the brim. But registration is still open for the 34-, 25-, and 7-mile races. Action starts Sunday at 7 a.m.
And, for the brave of heart, the fifth edition of the 24 Hours of Erock ride starts Saturday at 6:30 p.m. That marathon is a 24-hour relay over an 8 1/4-mile course at more than 6,900 feet in elevation, through Greenland Open Space, in sight of Pikes Peak.
Check for information.
