Trail Mix: California Classic returns to one weekend, April 2-3
The California Classic bike-the-freeway rides and half marathon run, after taking place on separate weekends the past two years, will return to back-to-back days in 2016.
Century, metric and mini-metric rides will be April 2, with the half marathon and Rock-n-Run 5K races April 3.
The California Classic bicycle ride again includes closure of a stretch of Highway 168, from the McKinley on-ramp to Shepherd Avenue.
The marathon course remains the same, starting at Chukchansi Park, meandering through downtown Fresno, the Tower District and Fresno Chaffee Zoo before finishing back at the stadium.
Registration for cyclists is $65 for the mini-metric (35 miles), and $70 for the metric (70 miles) and century (100 miles). Entries for runners is $70 for the half marathon, $140 for the two-person relay and $40 for the 5K. Prices increase $5 on Feb. 1 and another $15 after March 14.
Registration includes chip timing, an event T-shirt, Cold Stone ice cream, a finisher’s medallion and a free beer at the Celebration Beer Garden.
An expo and packet-pickup event is 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 1 at Wilson’s Bicycles, 284 W. Shaw Ave. in Clovis. Cuban National Team cyclist and Pan-American gold medalist Ivan Dominguez will be the guest speaker and compete in the ride and half marathon.
Details and registration: www.californiaclassicweekend.com
Winchell Cove trail races – The 2016 San Joaquin Running Race Series continues Saturday with the Winchell Cove 10-mile trail run.
A 10K race is also offered for walkers and runners. A half-mile race is available for kids ages 8 to 12 and a quarter-miler for children 7 and younger.
The course goes out-and-back on the Blue Oak Trail along the shore of Millerton Lake around McKenzie Point and into Winchell Cove. Participants should brace for the elements, as the event will take place rain or shine.
Online registration costs $35 for the 10K walk/run and $45 for the 10-mile run and closes at midnight Thursday. Youth entry costs $10. Prices increase $5 on race day.
The 10-mile main event will start at 8 a.m. and the 10K at 8:05.
Both races are chip-timed. Awards will be give to the top three male and female 10K finishers; in the 10-mile run, the top three male and female runners, overall and by age group, will receive awards.
The SJR race series, in collaboration with Fleet Feet Sports Fresno, is scored using age grading with the top five male and female runners recognized at the end of the nine-race season. The season started last weekend with the Resolution Run at Woodward Park.
Next on the schedule is the Hensley Off-Road 10K Race on Feb. 7. Other races in the series include the San Joaquin River Trail Half Marathon (March 5), Pincushion Hill Climb (Sept. 1) and the Two Cities Marathon (Nov. 6).
For complete details and to sign up, go to www.sanjoaquinrunning.com.
REI winter classes – The REI Outdoor School is hosting a free 90-minute introductory course on snowshoeing at 1 p.m. Sunday.
At 6 p.m. Tuesday, the school will host a class on how to properly tune and care for your ski and snowboarding gear.
The classes are demonstrations only, so leave your gear at home. Other free January workshops include backpacking for women, hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, and navigating with a map and compass.
Space is limited. Reserve your spot at www.rei.com/fresno.
This story was originally published January 6, 2016 at 7:54 PM with the headline "Trail Mix: California Classic returns to one weekend, April 2-3."