Race celebrates opening of Mexican Ditch Trail Bridge

Join Fleet Feet Sports and the Carson City Parks and Recreation Department to celebrate the installation of two new bridges and the connection of the Mexican Ditch Trail with a 5K and one-mile run/walk Saturday.

The ceremony begins at 9 a.m. followed by the 5K and 1-mile walk/kids run at 9:15 a.m.

The ribbon cutting, which starts the race, will be located at the south bridge.

Race participants will travel north along the Mexican Ditch Trail, and the 5K will continue around Riverview Park.

Park along Buzzy's Ranch Road, and walk between the homes addressed 1631 and 1561 Buzzy's Ranch Road to the Mexican Ditch Trail. Turn right and walk south about 800 feet, past the horse corrals, to the new bridge.

Register for the races at Fleet Feet Sports, 3246 N. Carson St. for $10.

Bib and T-shirt pickup will be available through Friday at Fleet Feet Sports.

If it's been a while since your last backpacking trip, or you want to try backpacking and are not sure how to go about it. This trip is for you.

Tahoe Rim Trail Association volunteer guides Karen Thorsett and Dick Reed will guide lead a two-day, 21-mile trek (1,500-foot elevation gain) along the Tahoe Rim Trail from Tahoe City to Brockway Summit on June 19 and 20.

There will be an overnight stay at Watson Lake - bring your fly rod and campfire stories.

This trek meanders through aspen and conifer woods with open hillsides that offer spectacular views of Lake Tahoe.

Participants must be able to hike 14 miles per day at elevation with a 20- to 30-pound backpack. Participants must provide their own gear, food and clothing.

This hike is open only to adults older than 16 years of age and limited to 10 participants.

For more information or to register, contact Katy Washington at katyw@tahoerim

trail.org or call 298-0238.

The Alta Alpina Cycling Club is offering the Alta Alpina Challenge: Riding the Wild Sierra on Saturday.

Called the world's toughest double century, the Eight Pass Challenge is 20,300 feet of climbing more than 198 miles, 100 of them at higher than 7,000 feet.

The start and finish is at Turtle Rock Park near Markleeville, Calif.

The eight passes on the course are Kingsbury Grade, aka Daggett Pass (East), Luther Pass (South), Carson Pass (East), Blue Lakes Road, Ebbetts (East), Ebbetts (West), Monitor (West) and Monitor (East).

For the less adventurous, there is the Kid Carson Challenge. Participants choose from 7-, 16- or 27- mile out-and-back options.

The course features three stops with water and goodies plus lunch at Turtle Rock Park. Start time is between 9 and 10:30 a.m. depending on the option picked.

You can also Build Your Own Challenge.

Pass combinations range from 30 to 160 miles and 3,600 to 17,500 feet of climbing. The course features fully stocked rest stops, checkpoints with water, and lunch/dinner at the finish.

For more details, visit altaalpina.org/

challenge.