Wright Stuff Challenge: Strut Your Stuff, June 29

10 Jun Wright Stuff Challenge: Strut Your Stuff, June 29

5th Annual 5k/10k, Bike Race Raises Money for West End Youth

On your mark… get set… ride! (Or run, or walk!) Cyclists, runners and walkers are invited to the 5th annual Wright Stuff Challenge, a fundraiser for Prime Time Early Learning Center in Norwood. The WSC consists of a 5- and 10k foot race and an 8.5-mile Oak Hill Climb bicycle ride up Lone Cone Road. Choose your method of transport and meet at the “Pig Palace” on the San Miguel County Fairgrounds in downtown Norwood on Saturday, June 29.

The inaugural 2012 Oak Hill Climb brought in a dozen or more avid cyclists from Telluride (including pro rider Pete Dahle and Just For Kids M2D ride organizer Erik Fallenius), many of them using the event to kick off their summer road riding season.

“Last year’s riders had a terrific time,” said Oak Hill Climb organizer Eric Brantingham. “We hope they all come back this year, and bring their friends, too. It’s a quick, fun, heart pumping ride with fantastic views.”

After a neutral start at the Pig Palace, riders travel along Hwy. 145 (the clock starts at Jack’s Hitchin’ Post) and turn south on Lone Cone Road. The race ends approximately 8.2 miles and 1,525 feet later, just past the top of Oak Hill. (For a race profile and map, go here.) Once riders rehydrate and catch their breath, they can cruise back down into town for refreshments and an awards ceremony at the Pig Palace. Doug Avery, of Peak Fitness and Peak Physical Therapy, is adding extra incentive this year with $150 cash prizes for overall first place Oak Hill Climb finishers in two age categories: 59 and under, and 60 and older.

Those who prefer to keep their feet on the ground may choose to walk or run the WSC 5k or 10k, open to both youth and adults, including parents with strollers or young kids on bikes, and teams of four or more. (No dogs, please.) The non-competitive, out-and-back race travels 3.2 or 6.4 scenic miles over gently rolling pavement, just south of town. Costumes are encouraged, and well-dressed groups may even win the team spirit award. To help those with young children participate this year, Prime Time is offering free childcare to all WSC participants and volunteers at its facility, conveniently located adjacent to the Pig Palace.

“This event is about having fun with friends and family,” says Wright Stuff executive director Andrya Brantingham. “And it’s about raising money to support the healthy breakfast and snack we serve every day at Prime Time. Our programs are an important part of these kids’ development. We provide safe, affordable, quality early childhood programs that focus on children’s social-emotional development, which plays a key role in their future success in school and in life.”

WSC is one of the Wright Stuff Foundation’s major annual fundraisers, with proceeds going directly toward Prime Time Early Learning Center, which serves youth ages six weeks to 12 years, who live in Norwood, Nucla, Naturita, Redvale and the surrounding region. Prime Time has acclaim as a certified demonstration site for Pyramid Plus: The Colorado Center for Social Emotional Competence and Inclusion, and also offers before- and after-school care to older youth, as well as summer camps that focus on outdoor activities, art, theatre, and more.

WSC race-day registration takes place at 7:30 a.m. sharp, or advanced reservations (recommended) are available online. The Oak Hill Climb starts at 8:15 a.m. and the walk/run starts at 8:30 a.m. Entry fees are $25 per person for all events ($15 for youth under 16); teams of four or more people may register for the 5k/10k as a group for $20 per person. After June 8, registration fees goes up to $30. All participants will receive goody bags consisting of water bottles, lip balm, Happy Belly Deli granola bars, and other swag, as well as two door prize tickets. Trophies will be awarded for all categories, plus cash prizes for the overall Oak Hill Climb winners. Door prizes include overnight stays at condos in Telluride, Ouray Hot Springs Pool punch passes, pedicures, Ruth’s Toffee, oil changes and alignments, and much more.

This year’s Wright Stuff Challenge sponsors are Alpine Bank, Uncompahgre Medical Center, Bruin Waste Management, Telluride Alpine Lodging, City of Ouray Parks and Recreation, Peak Fitness, Peak Physical Therapy, Happy Belly Deli, San Miguel County, Town of Norwood, Debra Pattishall, Smart By Nature, and West End Pizzeria.

For more information on the Wright Stuff Challenge, call Jenn Dinsmore at 970/596-3100 or email wrightstuffchallenge@gmail.com. To register, go here .