Grassroots Members all support a wide range of events ranging from trail races, triathlons, climbing competitions and wildlife photo competitions. Each Week we highlight competitions going on across the country. Always check our calendar for the most up- to-date events near you on our Grassroots Events Page.

This weekend in Ketchum, Idaho Grassroots Member The Elephant’s Perch is hosting the SAWTOOTH CENTURY BIKE TOUR AND RACE.

The Sawtooth Century is a 50 or 100 mile fully supported bicycle tour featuring the world-class riding terrain, dramatic visual imagery and signature style of Sun Valley and the Sawtooth Mountains. Riders will set off from the start/finish area 6 miles north of Ketchum and crest Galena Summit en route to the turnaround at Alturas Lake.

Numerous aid stations will provide high quality food/beverage and technical support. Come set a personal PR for 100 miles or make a long day of it savoring the food and views. For More information on the event go to the following Websites: www.bcrd.org or www.sportsbaseonline.com

Also ongoing from now until September 15th Great Outdoor Provision Co. is supporting NC Wildlife Photo Competition.

Beautiful images of the natural wonders of North Carolina have inspired generations of people to be better stewards of our precious natural resources. The Wildlife in North Carolina Photo Competition aims to encourage people to participate in nature photography, thereby fostering greater appreciation of North Carolina’s wildlife and wild places. »Enter Online thru Sept 15

We welcome to the world Harper Louise, appropriately born during Summer Outdoor Retailer. What a beauty! Congratulations to Tyler and Kate!

This weekend, if you are not out in Salt Lake City enjoying the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market, check out our events calendar for local events across the country.  Our highlight this week is the Rock/Creek Greenway 5 mile Trail Race.  See details below.

If you are new to trail running or looking for a relaxing race with your trail running friends this is your race. Join us for a relaxing and fun run in the Greenway farm complex.

Date: August 9, 2008
Time: Race starts at 8:00 AM
Location: Greenway Farms, Chattanooga, TN (see driving directions below)
Cost: $10 without technical t-shirt, $25 with shirt
Day-of registrants WILL NOT recieve a shirt.

Register Online Today >

Rock/Creek race team member John Anderson flew out to Utah for the mountainous Wasatch Speedgoat 50K. John gave an outstanding effort and finished in second, just 3 minutes behind the winner. Below is John's story of the race. If you are interested in John's other accomplishment, and the accomplishments of the entire Rock/Creek Race Team, visit their profiles at http://www.rockcreek.com/raceteam.

The Wasatch Speedgoat 50k is based out of Snowbird, Utah and you get the unique experience of being cheered on by people riding up on the tram. You also get the unique experience of feeling your legs go through pain, then numbness, then pain again, and thankfully back to numbness as the course ascends 10,500 ft and descends the same in 50k. The race is directed by Karl Meltzer (several time winner of the Hardrock 100 who will be attempting to break the AT speed record starting on August 9th), and he puts on a great quad smashing race.

We started the day in the cool Wasatch mountains and headed uphill for the initial 4500' climb. By the time we got halfway up there was a lead pack of 4 runners, and Nate McDowell and I chatted about our kids between trying to catch our breath. Luckily for me Nate's daughter has a longer name than my son so he had to talk more. By the time we got to the top, Nate had a couple minute lead on me, and we came crashing down Mt. Baldy, complete with ropes and spotters from Black Diamond and settled in for a long day in the mountains.

The next several hours were spent climbing and descending the newly designed race course, some of it off trail, some singletrack, some on forest service roads, a short stretch through the ski tunnel that connects Snowbird to Alta at around 10,000 ft, and even a little time rolling around on the ground. The La Sportiva Fireblades performed excellently again--perfect for the technical terrain and the steep descents.

When all was said and done, Nate won in 5:43 and I finished up in second in 5:56. Although I did manage to chuck a snowball at Nate as he climbed above me in the final ascent. My ankles are sore and my lips are chapped, but it was a stellar race with outstanding views (and next time I'll remember the lip balm...)

Gear List for race: Patagonia Airius Top, Patagonia Long Haul Runners, La Sportiva Fireblade shoes, Patagonia Ultra Lightweight Socks, Smith Factor polarized sunglasses, Nathan Quickdraw water bottle, and Nathan 10k Hip Pack.

--John