It’s time once again for the Whiskeytown Relays, the 20-mile race in which four-member teams run all the way around Whiskeytown Lake.
Sunday, September 19, will mark the 35th running of the Whiskeytown Relays, and race director Tori Parks is expecting about 100 teams to participate.
Although the early registration deadline has passed, you may sign up for the event as late as race morning itself. Fire department-based teams do not have to pay the $20 late registration fee, and all school teams get in for a discount no matter when they register.
Even if you haven’t got three other people to fill a squad, let Parks know you want to run. “I love putting teams together. It’s kind of a challenge,” she said.
Parks has had her fill of other challenges this year. Few early entries arrived. Her T-shirt supplier said it couldn’t fill the order because of a factory fire. The company that has provided bus transit to relay stations for many years backed out.
But everything is better now, and runners should be unaffected by the behind-the-scenes drama, according to Parks. The folks at Fleet Feet hooked up Parks with a new T-shirt supplier, so participants will receive long-sleeve performance shirts by Brooks. A new bus company is on board. And, thankfully, the entries and inquires are rolling in.
As usual, the relays will offer custom-made awards, lunch, massages and raffle prizes. Fleet Feet Sports Sacramento is bringing six teams. Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon, has entered a couple teams. There are always a handful of front-running squads from Chico.
For details and contact information, check out Whiskeytown Relays entry form.
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• Congrats to the 12 runners who won prizes in the recently concluded Sunset Through the Trees series of eight races in seven weeks in and around Redding. A special shout out to Joanne Harper, who won the women’s series outright despite being a member of the 40-plus age group. Harper won all seven of the races she entered. I also have to mention Mount Shasta’s Dusty Miller. Even though he become eligible for the 40-plus category 23 years ago, he still claimed second place in the age group.
• The Bidwell Bump mountain bike race returns to Chico this Saturday, September 18, after a hiatus. The event offers different races for riders of varying abilities. If you have never ridden at Upper Bidwell Park, you might be surprised as how rocky and technical some of the trails are. Thankfully the park also offers gentler trails for klutzes like me.
• The Department of Fish and Game is offering an all-day waterfowl hunting clinic on September 25 at Gray Lodge Wildlife Area near Gridley. Experts will address decoy placement, blind design, ballistics, calling, duck identification, hunting dogs, gear, game preparation and cooking, and safety. I understand these clinics tend to sell out, and advance registration is required. Details are on the DFG website.
• Maybe you or someone you know isn’t up to running six miles, riding a bicycle over hill and dale, or tromping through the rice fields all morning. Then consider Shasta County Public Health’s upcoming six-week “Healthier Living” workshops for people who have chronic health conditions, including diabetes, arthritis, heart and lung disease, and chronic pain. Weekly sessions begin Tuesday, September 14, in Anderson; Thursday, September 16, in Redding; and September 21 in Round Mountain. Details: www.cahealthierliving.org.
Paul Shigley is senior editor of California Planning & Development Report, a frequent contributor to Planning magazine and a longtime member of the 40-plus age group. He lives in Centerville. Paul Shigley may be reached at pauls.anewscafe@gmail.com.
