If you ever look down from a helicopter or hot-air balloon onto Denver’s annual Race for the Cure — and why would you when everybody and their mothers are down in the streets running? — there’s a quirky sight to see.
Like alien crop circles or well-worn meandering rivers, the foot path for the runners at one crucial junction follows a very specific course.
It forms a ribbon.
You’ll notice, perhaps, this Sunday, when the 18th annual Komen Denver Race for the Cure kicks off at 7 a.m. from Confluence Park, near the Pepsi Center. The 5K coed run and walk start northwest on Speer, kick across 29th Avenue to Federal, south to 18th, then down to Colfax. From there, everybody goes east on Colfax until, at Interstate 25, runners do a loop-de-loop up and around for a final stretch down Auraria.
As far as races go, it’s an odd double-back. But in context, it makes perfect sense. Runners will follow the path of a ribbon.
The simple pink ribbon has come to symbolize the national race, which raises funds for women’s breast-health education, early cancer-detection screenings and treatment programs.
The Denver race is one of the largest in the United States, drawing upward of 60,000 people and raising nearly $1.5 million. Organizers say that 75 percent of funds raised go directly to supporting women.
“The participation and revenue from Denver is great,” Komen founder Nancy Brinker recently told The Denver Post’s Sheba Wheeler. “Denver’s affiliate is the fourth-largest revenue generator in the whole country.”
And it’s not too late to join the fun, for either the 5K events or the 1-mile fun walk. Pre-registration will be open through today at run- themed locations around town. And the Runner’s Roost store on Colorado Boulevard in Denver will take registration until noon Saturday.
Or arrive early at the Pepsi Center on Sunday and register before the events start. If you’d rather not race or walk but still want to take part, you can join the Sleep In for the Cure.
For information on registration and events, go to .
Komen Denver Race for the Cure
The 18th annual race for breast-cancer awareness
* When: Sunday, with events starting at 7 a.m.
* Where: Beginning and ending at the Pepsi Center
* Races: 5K run and walk, 7 a.m.; 5K walk, 8 a.m.; and a 1-mile fun walk, 9 a.m.
* Info:
AROUND TOWN
Fighting in the field.
The first leg in a round-robin run for football’s Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy will pit Air Force against visiting Navy on Saturday. But before that game, the two schools will already have butted heads.
Air Force’s rugby team plays Navy today at 6:30 p.m. in a service-academy showdown at Infinity Park in Glendale. Tickets are available at the gate.
The match will be more than a club-sport game. Military brass from both sides will be in attendance, and the AFA honor guard will present the colors.
And, if fans can dart their eyes quick enough, a F-16 flyover will rumble past right before start time.
Check for info.
STAY ON THE COUCH
Another option.
The Broncos’ road game at Tennessee on Sunday is throwing the whole TV schedule out of whack. If you’re an NFL fan looking for NFL action from your couch this weekend, pay close attention.
The Broncos-Titans game in Nashville airs at 11 a.m. on CBS (KCNC-4), the network that broadcasts the AFC. No problem there. Except that the Denver-Tennessee game will not be alone on the schedule at 11 a.m. Fox, the NFC network, will air the Packers-Lions game at the same time, on KDVR-31.
When the Broncos play in Denver, the game’s broadcast usually precludes other networks from showing a game at the same time, per some convoluted broadcast rights with the league.
But since the Broncos are on the road, it’s showtime on two channels.
After the Green Bay-Detroit contest, Fox will show Washington, with Donovan McNabb, visiting the star quarterback’s former team, Philadelphia. CBS, though, will air Professional Bull Riding from Connecticut.
GET OFF THE COUCH
On the run.
The Boulder Marathon through the years has retained a loyal following. For runners in the know, the race fills a great late-season spot on the schedule in a runner-friendly area on knee-forgiving terrain and set against a pretty backdrop.
The marathon, half-marathon and 10K again will draw a big crowd Sunday, despite going off two weeks later than planned. The wildfires near Boulder and Loveland postponed the original date. But the race will go just as planned, at Boulder Reservoir starting at 7:30 a.m.
The Boulder-backroads course runs soft enough to please knees but quick enough for clocked times — details as welcoming as the nice weather expected for Sunday morning. Registration is open through Saturday until the field is full. Go to .
WHAT WE’D LIKE TO SEE
Making a pitch for 20 wins.
Ubaldo Jimenez will get one last chance this season to become the first Rockies pitcher to reach 20 wins when he leads Colorado against the host St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday. The game airs on FSN at 11 a.m.
The hard-luck right-hander earned his 17th win of the year on Aug. 4. But in 10 starts since then, Jimenez has gone 2-6. Run support has been an issue — in six of his eight losses this season, the team has scored three runs or fewer.
Jimenez, though, remains among the National League’s premier hurlers, at 19-8 with a 2.99 ERA.
