FRI, 10/24
Christopher Smith
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Last year, a female quartet sailed through Scream Scramdressed as the Titanic. The women were costumed in such a way that when they stood together, they looked like the doomed ocean liner. Still, they were able to navigate independently around the 5K run's Washington Park course, which may explain why they didn't strike any icebergs. Or the guy garbed as gum on a shoe."We encourage people to dress up," says Dana Pluss, a Scram organizer who works for Scream Agency, a public-relations company whose owner started the event.
Pluss expects about 1,000 entrants to materialize at the southeast corner of Wash Park for the 6 p.m. start of tonight's fourth annual Scram, a 5K run/walk that benefits the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Most will be in disguise; some may be toting pumpkins. A few four-footed pawticipants may also be trotting around.
"It's just a really fun event," Pluss says. "People set their own pace." And while serious runners can use their nineteen-minute lickety-split times to qualify for future marathons, many others will make the journey in a leisurely ninety-minute stroll.
Entrants, who pay fees ranging from $15 to $27, will get free T-shirts, Halloween candy and a chance to win prizes. Last year, a guy dressed in a bright-red costume won top honors after running the entire course with a pitchfork. No matter what you're wearing, though, the Scream Scram is an opportunity to have a devilishly good time for a good cause. For more information, call 303-694-2030. -- Ernie Tucker
Bike Heaven
VeloSwap is a wheely big thing
SAT, 10/25
Bike enthusiasts from all over will be on the trail of the country's biggest bicycle bazaar when VeloSwap, a fifteen-year-old trade-a-thon featuring new and used bicycle equipment, rolls into the National Western Complex from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today.Participants can watch the RipStoke Trials Demo Team execute challenging stunts or eat dirt while licensed racers burn rubber in the cyclocross racing competition.
"They're racing through the stock areas, through the cattle chutes and through the pens. It will make for a really cool spectator event," says VeloSwap director Dave Whittingham.
Bikers can also attend nutrition and training clinics and test-ride 2004 model two-wheelers. "It's a good chance to see what's coming up next year," says Whittingham.
Proceeds from the swap meet will benefit advocacy groups that ensure access to roads, trails and education programs for cyclists.
The National Western Complex is at 4655 Humboldt Street. Tickets, available at several metro-area bike shops and Velo News in Boulder, are $6 to $8; children under twelve are admitted free. For ticket and event information, call 303-440-0601, ext. 222, or log on to www.veloswap.com. -- DeNesha Tellis
