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The great outdoors

Friday, May 17, 2002

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Throughout the summer, there are lots of events for runners, bikers, skaters, swimmers and even lawn bowlers. In addition to the usual events, the Western Pennsylvania Field Institute has a full slate of activities planned to get Pittsburghers on the rivers and trails.

	The Richard S. Caliguiri Great Race rumbles through the city on Sept. 29. (Robin Rombach, Post-Gazette)

OFF AND RUNNING

Relay for Life: The American Cancer Society seeks volunteers and teams for the 24-hour event, in which teams of 10 to 15 participants take turns walking or running around a track to raise funds for the nonprofit group. Music, games, entertainment provided during each relay. Moon Township Relay for Life, May 18; South Fayette, May 18; Oakmont Riverside Park, June 22; Shaler Area Stadium, June 22; Bethel Park High School stadium, June 22; Woodland Hills High School, Churchill, July 13. Call 800-ACS-5445.

19th Annual Mayflower Memorial: 5K and 10K races, with some proceeds benefiting the Allegheny County Special Olympics. Trax Farm, Finleyville (May 19). 412-885-2537.

Greenfield Glide 5K Run & Fitness Walk: Cross-country challenges are presented in this 17th annual race through Schenley Park. Schenley Park Skating Rink. (June 2). To register, call Citiparks at 412-422-8885.

Gatorade/Steelers 5K run/walk: To benefit the Art Rooney Scholarship Fund, at Heinz Field (June 8). 412-697-7713

No Problem Run: 10K/2-mile run and 1-mile walk, at Schenley Park. (June 9). 412-242-5746.

Friends of the Riverfront Pittsburgh Triathlon and Adventure Race: 1.5K swim, 40K bike ride and 10K run, North Shore (July 14). 412-441-3673.

Pirates Going the Distance: For Epilepsy Foundation 5K run and 2 mile walk, at PNC Park. (July 20). 412-261-5880.

Brookline Breeze 5K Run/Walk: 5K Run and fitness walk and 1-Mile Fun Run. (Aug. 10). 412-255-2493.

Riverview Park 5K Run and Fitness Walk: Riverview Park Activities Building (Aug. 16). 412-255-2493.

Regent Square Run Around the Square: 1.5-mile fun run/walk through Fern Hollow in Frick Park includes costumed characters and standout groups. Regent Square School (Aug. 24). Call 412-422-6562 for information.

UPMC Health Plan/Genesis Riverside Run for Adoption: 10K race, 5K run and fun walk, at North Shore (Aug. 31). 412-766-2693.

IKEA-Montour Trail: Half marathon and 5K run/walk, at Robinson Town Centre. (Sept. 14). 412-343-4294.

Dollar Bank Junior Great Race: 5th Annual race includes the One-Mile Family Fun Run, the 50-Yard Tot Trot and the Diaper Dash. There will also be mascots, clowns and face painters to cheer the racers. Point State Park (Sept. 14). 412-255-2493.

Richard S. Caliguiri Great Race: Citiparks' Great Race is a chance for individual runners and walkers, corporate teams, wheelchair athletes, entertainers and hometown fans to take to the city streets. 10K (6.2 miles) race begins in Frick Park at Beechwood Boulevard and finishes at Point State Park. The 5K (3.1 miles) will start at Fifth and Atwood in Oakland and follow the same route as the 10K to the finish line (Sept. 29). To register, call 412-255-2493.

OFF AND WALKING

Pittsburgh AIDS Walk 2002: Flagstaff Hill, Schenley Park (June 2). 412-242-WALK.

BIKING

Pedal Pittsburgh: A 15- to 50-mile bike tour of Pittsburgh design landmarks and neighborhoods. Begins at Station Square (May 19). 412-232-3545.

Yough & Roll: 15- and 40-mile rides on Yough trail (June 2). Boston Trailhead, south of McKeesport. 412-754-1100.

Escape to the Lake: 150-mile bike tour from Cranberry to Lake Erie, to raise money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (June 8-9). 412-261-6347.

24 Hours of Snowshoe: A 24-hour team mountain bike relay race at Snowshoe Mountain Resort, Davis, W.Va. (June 29-30). 304-259-5533 or www.grannygear.com.

Tour De Sewickley: Rides of 5, 30 and 60 miles to benefit Early Learning Institute (June 30). 412-922-8322, Ext. 27.

Tour de Cure: Rides of 20-100 miles. Benefits American Diabetes Association. Seneca Valley Intermediate High School, Jackson Township, Butler County. (July 14). 1-888-342-2383.

M&M Century 100 miles of biking over two days through Great Allegheny Passage, Laurel Highlands from Meyersdale to McKeesport (July 20-21). www.atatrail.org.

Dam Ride Two-day ride on Great Allegheny Passage from McKeesport to the Yough Lake Dam at Confluence and back. Supports both the Steel Valley Trail and the Yough River Trail. (Sept. 7-8). www.atatrail.org.

Keystone Country Ride: 150-mile ride to benefit the National MS Society takes a scenic back-roads course from Hollidaysburg Area High School (two miles outside of Altoona) to University Park. (July 27-28). 412-261-6347. Go to www.nmss-pgh.org/bike.

The Great Ride: Takes cyclists through three major parks, 12 city neighborhoods and more than four city bridges. Meet at Pittsburgh Technology Center, off Second Avenue, to begin one of three courses: 20, 30 and 50 miles (July 28). Call 412-255-2391.

Golden Triangle Bike Rentals Eliza Furnace Trailhead, First Avenue and Ross Street. Bike rentals $6.50 per hour. Adult and youth bikes, screened trailer available for toddlers. Guided group rides to Washington's Landing on Saturdays and Sundays. 412-655-0835.

Bicycling: The Washington Boulevard Cycling Track is open to the public most days and times. Weekly events include Monday evenings for beginners and Wednesday evenings for experienced racers. The Monday and Wednesday programs are held 5 p.m. to dusk by the Allegheny Cycling Association. To learn more about these sessions, visit www.acaracing.com/home or call 412-255-2493 for details.

For more information on biking events, go to the Western Pennsylvania Wheelmen site at wpwbikeclub.org or call the hot line: 412-422-2234.

CITIPARKS TENNIS

Citiparks Holiday Classic: Events are men's and women's singles and doubles (June 28-July 3; register by June 21). Schenley Park.

Paul G. Sullivan Parks Championships: This annual tournament is open to players of all ages and abilities. Frick Park (July 13-21; register by July 5).

Greater Pittsburgh Tennis Patrons Junior Tournament: Carnegie Mellon University and Schenley Park. (June 24-28).

Citiparks Tennis Championships: Men's and women's singles and doubles and mixed doubles. Schenley Park (Aug. 3-11; register by July 26).

Adult Tennis League: Citiparks courts. July-September. $15. (closing date June 7).

Recreational World Team Tennis: Citiparks courts. July-October. $25.

USA Free for All Lessons Schenley Park courts. May to September. Free.

For tennis information, call 412-244-4188.

SKATING

Three Rivers In-line Club weekly events:

Mondays: Bike and skate tour leaves at 7 p.m. from the Aristech Building, Second Avenue. Technology Park near Bates Street. Two-hour route varies.

Tuesdays: Fitness Skate for Intermediate to Advanced skaters. Street skate starts at 7 p.m. at former Shadyside TCBY Walnut Street. Skate Shadyside, Oakland and Squirrel Hill for 1-1.5 hours.

Wednesdays: Beginners lessons at 6:30 p.m., followed by beginners (7:15 p.m.) and advanced beginners skates (7 p.m.) at Liberty School, Shadyside.

Thursdays: Speed skating clinic with Team TRIC at Washington Blvd. Velodrome at 7 p.m.

Fridays: Iron City Friday City Sights skate meets on the North Side near the 16th Street Bridge at 6:30 p.m. and covers 5 miles in about 2 hours.

Sundays: Family Fun Skate on Eliza Furnace Trail at 1 p.m. (clinic meets first Sunday of every month at 11:30 a.m.); Advanced Beginners Trail Skate at Eliza Furnace Trail at 9 a.m. Tours trail, Point Park and North Shore Park.

For more information, log onto www.skatepittsburgh.com

SWIMMING

City pools: Citiparks operates 31 outdoor pools from June 19 to Sept. 2. Pool tags are available at various recreation centers and at the City-County Building (4th Floor). City residents: $40 (family of four; $6 each additional); $20 adult (16 and up); $10 youth (3-15); under 2 free. Non-city residents: $50. Daily admission is $4 adults; $2 kids.

Citiparks offers free Learn-to-Swim camps at certain Pittsburgh pools to children ages 6-15. Swimming and general safety practices in and around the water will be taught by lifeguards certified in Water Safety Instruction. There are three sessions: Session 1: June 24-July 5 at Arlington, Bloomfield, Fowler, Ormsby, Paulson and Sue Murray; Session 2: July 8-19, Ammon, Burgwin, East Hills, Manchester, Warrington; Session 3: July 22-Aug. 2: Cowley, Homewood, Ream, Leslie and Sheraden.

There is a preschool session (kids 3-5) Saturdays June 29-July 21 at noon, at Bloomfield, Cowley, Highland, Jack Stack, Magee, Moore, Ormsby, Phillips, Ream, Schenley and Westwood. $10.

Children's Learn-to-Swim (for kids 6-15), Mondays-Fridays at 11 a.m. June 24-July 5; July 8-July 19; July 22-Aug. 2. $17.

There are adult learn-to-swim courses, Monday and Wednesday, June 24-July 5 at any site, $17.

Adult water aerobics, Tuesday and Thursday, June 25-July 30 at 5 p.m., $5.

For information and registration, call 412-594-4645.

Championship Swim Meet: Meet at Highland Park Pool features hundreds of Pittsburgh's children competing in team and individual events (Aug. 10). The meet is free for participants and guests. To get involved, ask your head lifeguard about joining the pool swim team starting June 24. Call 412-323-7928.

IN THE PARKS

Archery: Special techniques and skills for target shooting, safety and archery terminology are taught in this program for young people age 10-15 at Phillips Recreation Center in Carrick. 412-885-7445.

Disc Golf: 18-hole course at Schenley Park Meadow; 9-hole course at Phillips Park in Carrick. For more info, call the Flying Disc Society at 724-933-6969.

Horseshoes: At Armstrong Park (South Side) for teens, ages 13 to 17, and adults, 18 and older. Games are played weeknights from 6-8:30 p.m.

Lawn bowling: The Frick Park Lawn Bowling Club offers free introductory lessons, Saturdays at 1 p.m. through May and by appointment at the greens in Frick Park, 7300 Reynolds Ave. League bowling is Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. and Wednesdays at 7 p.m. Open bowling Thursday-Fridays 7-9 p.m., Saturdays-Sundays 2-4 p.m. Tournaments are scheduled for June 1, July 27, Aug. 3-8, Aug. 24-25, Sept. 14. Call 412-782-0848.

Skate Parks: McKinley Park in South Hills has ramps, bowls, half-pipes, splines and rails. Coming soon are Sheraden Park and West Penn Park skate parks. 412-255-2539.

Volleyball: Social and competitive volleyball games are played at many recreation and community enrichment centers, including adult coed power volleyball. Highland Park has sand volleyball courts next to the swimming pool. Teens and adults are welcome. Ammon Recreation Center in the Hill District will hold adult and teen volleyball games during the summer.

Youth Sports: Dodgeball, kickball and other sports for ages 7-12 June through August at Phillips Recreation Center in Carrick. 412-885-7445.

OUTDOORS

Western Pennsylvania Field Institute

This nonprofit organization offers over 200 outings, classes and events that are designed to make it easy to try new activities in the outdoors. To find a complete list of all their activities, go to www.wpfi.org or call 412-255-0564.

Here are the highlights:

VO2 -- Venture Outdoors Festival 2002 Free, family-friendly event features: canoeing, kayaking, mountain biking, nature hikes, a ropes course, rock climbing, in-line skating, skateboarding and more. Washington's Landing from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow.

Guided Riverboat Fishing: Pontoon boat fishing on the Allegheny River with experts. May 22, June 1, June 12, July 10, Aug. 7, Sept. 4, Sept. 28. $20 Members, $25 nonmembers, $10 kids 12 & under.

Spokes and Splash: Canoeing and Biking: Family events features bike ride along the Youghiogheny River Trail, picnic and paddling on the Youghiogheny River. Canoes and lunch provided. Bike rentals are available. Youghiogheny, Perryopolis. June 16, July 20, Aug. 17, Sept. 14, Oct. 12 (9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.). $35 members, $40 nonmembers, $15 kids 12 & under.

3 Rivers -- 3 Ways: Hike-Bike-Kayak Tour: Explore Pittsburgh: paddle down the Allegheny, hike along the riverside trails and cycle along the Monongahela. All transportation and equipment are provided, including lunch and drinks. Guided and suitable for all levels of ability. Washington's Landing. June 8, July 7, Aug. 11, Aug. 31 (10 a.m.-4 p.m.) $60 members, $70 nonmembers.

Kayak Eco-Tours Learn to navigate a sea-kayak and discover the natural surroundings right in the heart of the Pittsburgh. Washington's Landing. Mondays from 5:45 to 8 p.m. $15 members, $20 nonmembers.

Wednesday Evening Canoe Trips Canoes and instruction included. Allegheny River, trips vary from Springdale to Washington's Landing. June 26, July 31, Aug. 21, Sept. 18. 6-9 p.m. $10 members, $12 nonmembers, $5 kids 12 & under.

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