Event Profiles March/April

Photo: BigBlueAdventure.com

Sea Otter Classic/Thule Adventure Race

• Laguna Seca Recreation Area, Monterey, April 12-15

Every year, thousands of bike lovers converge on the race tracks at Laguna Seca for a celebration of all things cycling. The Sea Otter Classic has become an early-season rite of passage for crankheads of all stripes, who come to test their spring legs, check out the newest gear, drink beer and rub scraped-up elbows.

This year, the event is expanding to fold in the growing world of adventure racing. The inaugural Sea Otter Classic Thule Adventure Race will feature kayaking, biking, running and navigation.

Other events guaranteed to induce an accelerated heart rate include the SRAM Pro NRC Road Circuit Race, the Mountain Bike Endurance and Mountain Bike Gravity events, and spectator favorites, the SRAM Invitational Dirt Jump Contest and the SRAM MTB Super D, a hybrid of downhill and cross-country racing.

At the center of the action will be the massive Sea Otter Village and Expo, home to nearly 300 vendors. Nearly 10,000 professional, amateur and recreational athletes are expected over the long weekend, as well as 50,000 sideliners to cheer them on.

Passes are $10 per day or $30 for all four days. Kids under 12 are free. For more information or to register for an event, visit www.seaotterclassic.com or call 800-218-8411.

Xterra Triathlons

• Real Mountain Bike Triathlon, Granite Bay, April 1
• Tahoe Off-Road Triathlon, Tahoe City, June 23

Xterra has taken over the world of off-road triathlon. This year, Xterra is traveling the globe and offering races in far-away locales such as Sardinia. For Nor Cal racers wanting to spend fewer frequent flyer miles, however, there are a couple USAT-sanctioned Xterra events closer to home.

The California season kicks off April 1 with the Olympic distance Real MTB Triathlon in Granite Bay and a mountain-biking intensive course around Folsom Lake. On June 23, Xterra heads to North Lake Tahoe for the Tahoe Off-Road Triathlon, co-hosted by the crew of the Tahoe Big Blue.

To register for the Xterra Real MTB Triathlon, go to www.totalbodyfitness.com or call (916) 202-3006. For the Lake Tahoe Off-Road Triathlon, visit www.bigblueadventure.com or call (530) 546-1019.

Pacific Coast Trail Runs Series (8k to 50 mile runs)

• Montaña de Oro, Los Osos, March 4
• Pirates Cove, Golden Gate NRA, March 24
• Mount Diablo, Clayton, April 29
• Lake Merrit, Oakland, May 12
• Skyline Ridge Open Space, Palo Alto, May 20
• Mount Diablo, Clayton, June 2
• Santa Cruz Mountains, Santa Cruz, June 16
• San Pedro Valley Park, Pacifica, June 30
• Angel Island, Tiburon, July 7
• Salt Point State Park, Jenner, July 29

Whether you’re considering a trail run for the first time or are an experienced ultra runner, Pacific Coast Trail Runs promises a rewarding experience in a beautiful environment. Events are held nearly every other weekend and offer course distances from 8 kilometers to 50 miles in scenic, challenging terrain in and around the greater Bay Area.

PCTR is known for creating spectacular, well-marked courses and hosting aid stations that make runners feel like Norm in “Cheers,” only much less sedentary. The growing lineup at the start may be due to the non-competitive atmosphere – the emphasis is on personal achievement and awards are given only to the first male and female finishers – or it could be due to the goodie-laden picnic tables at the finish. To register for an event, visit PCTR online at www.pctrailruns.com.

EnviroVenture Trail Series (5-26.2 mile runs)

• King’s Mountain, Huddart Park, Woodside, March 3
• China Camp State Park, San Rafael, March 10
• Angel Island, Tiburon, March 17
• Golden Gate, Marin Headlands, March 31
• Muir Woods, Stinson Beach, April 14
• Skyline Open Space Preserve, Redwood City, April 21
• Mount Tamalpais State Park, Mill Valley, May 12
• Angel Island, Tiburon, Aug. 26

EnviroSports has been luring local runners out into the California hills for more than 20 years. The organizers have built up such a loyal following that procrastinators often discover events have sold out months in advance.

This year is no different. The EnviroVenture Trail Series will entice runners to pound their soles on epic trails in the rolling hills of the North Bay, through Santa Cruz Mountain redwoods, and up calf-sizzling ascents in Big Sur. Several races in the series have sold out already so runners should book now for events through the rest of the season.

Register online at www.envirosports.com or call 415-868-1829.

Big Blue Adventure Race Series

• Sea Otter Classic Adventure Race and Sprint, Monterey, April 13
• Castaic Lake Adventure Race and Sprint, Southern California, April 28
• Red Tail Adventure Race and Sprint, Orinda, June 9
• Ocean Blue Adventure Race and Sprint, Half Moon Bay, July 29
• Folsom Lake Sprint Adventure Race, Folsom Lake, Aug. 18
• Tahoe Big Blue Adventure Race and Sprint, North Lake Tahoe, Sept. 22

The Big Blue Adventure Series has a diverse line up of events for 2007 featuring adventure races, off-road triathlons and trail running.

“The 2007 schedule really does have an event and adventure for everyone. The sprint series is an excellent way for beginner adventure racers for to get their feet wet,” says series producer Todd Jackson of Seventh Wave Productions.

Racers in the adventure races may compete solo or in teams of two, three or four, which can be all male, all female or coed. Championships will be awarded to teams in the 6-12 hour and 24-hour race formats. For a full schedule and details, log on to www.bigblueadventure.comor call 530-546-1019.