Cycling
Tour des Chutes registration available — Registration is now open for this year’s Tour des Chutes, scheduled for July 13. The ninth annual cycling tour ride will include distance options of 7, 25, 50, 75 and 100 miles, and all rides will start and finish in northwest Bend. The event is a fundraiser for cancer awareness organizations. In 2012, the Tour des Chutes donated $75,000 to the St. Charles Cancer Survivorship Programs and $20,000 to Livestrong. Participants may register for the 2013 event as individuals or families (two adults and up to four children younger than 15). Registration is available at tourdeschutes.org and at Sunnyside Sports, 930 N.W. Newport Ave., Bend. A total of 1,400 participants took part in the 2012 ride, and 1,500 spots are available this year.
General
Nonprofit fundraiser on tap — The nonprofit organization Kids in the Game is staging a fundraising event called “Courage for Kids" on Feb. 21 at Bend’s Tower Theatre, featuring the stories of two Bend men who undertook challenging athletic feats to raise awareness and funds for children in need. Brian Grossman, one of the founders of the Kids in the Game, participated in the 2012 Marathon des Sables, a seven-day ultramarathon across the Sahara Desert. Eric Plantenberg climbed Mount Everest in 2011. Both men will share their stories at the event, for which admission is $45. A reception will begin at 6 p.m., the program at 7 p.m. Benefits will go to Kids in the Game, which provides financial assistance so that children in need can access sports programs. To purchase tickets, go to towertheatre.org.
Multisport
Kid’s Mini PPP logo contest now under way — Entries are now being accepted for this year’s Kid’s Mini Pole Pedal Paddle multisport event. The contest is open to kids in grades one through six. Entries should be submitted on white paper with a colored design and may represent the race’s activities: rafting, running, obstacle course and biking. Entries should include the elements U.S. Bank Kid’s Mini Pole Pedal Paddle; Bend, Oregon; 2013; MBSEF and the artist’s signature. On the back of the entry, write name, age, grade level, teacher, school, home phone number and email. Mail and delivery deadline for entries is 5 p.m. on Feb. 15. Entries may be delivered to the Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation office at 563 S.W. 13th Suite, 201, Bend. This year’s race is May 19. For more information, contact Molly Cogswell-Kelley at 541-388-0002 or at molly@mbsef.org.
Central Oregonians fare well in Utah — Emily Hyde of the Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation posted a second-place finish in the women’s OJ/J1 (ages 16-19) 10-kilometer classic race on Saturday in the Soldier Hollow Super Junior National Qualifier in Midway, Utah. The event, which began on Friday, brought together competitors from five of the nine U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association geographic divisions attempting to qualify for the USSA Junior National Cross Country Ski Championships, scheduled for March 11-16 in Fairbanks, Alaska. Hyde was also 13th in the skate-ski sprint on Friday. Another MBSEF skier, Leo Lukens, took seventh place in the J2 boys (ages 14-15) 5K classic race and 13th in the skate-ski sprint. The Bend Endurance Academy’s Ryan St. Clair finished sixth in the OJ boys sprint and ninth in the 10K classic race. Results of Central Oregon participants are available in Community Sports Scoreboard, below.
Softball
Registration under way for park and rec program — The Bend Park & Recreation District is accepting registrations for its upcoming girls softball program. Central Oregon girls ages 6-14 as of Jan. 1, 2013, and who are not playing for their high school program are eligible to participate in the program, which begins April 1 and concludes June 3. Games take place on softball diamonds in Bend, and most contests and practices will be staged on weekdays. Registration is $70 for park district residents, $95 otherwise. Fee includes visor, uniform top, shorts and socks. Deadline is March 12. Registration is available at bendparksandrec.org.
—Bulletin staff reports
