Yikes, Spikes!

The Boulder Open brings beach volleyball back to the mountains.

A A A Comments By Cub Buenning and Amelia Langer Thursday, Aug 25 2005

FRI, 8/26

Boulder builds beaches for some serious volleyball.

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Some sports can be geographically restrictive. That's why the good farmers of Iowa trek to our state to find out what snow plus a slope can do. And though Coloradans are blessed with the right landscape to fuel that particular passion, we're sadly lacking when it comes to beaches and beach sports.

It takes some reverse logic for locals to embrace a sport that requires sandy strands, but Boulderites will do just that during this weekend's AVP Volleyball Nissan Series Boulder Open. The Boulder Reservoir, 5565 North 51st Street, lays out a grainy spread for the tour's first visit to the state since the mid-'90s. AVP commissioner Leonard Armato says the event gives the group a presence in the Rockies, adding that "the area is a great sports community."

Sets and spikes will be served up by a collection of the sport's founding members, as well as the bikini-clad athletes who received network top billing at the Summer Olympics in Greece. All of Athens's darlings will be on hand, including the gold-medal-winning team of Misty May and Kerri Walsh. The game's all-time great, Karch Kiraly, will also spread on the suntan oil. Ticket prices vary but do not include the $6 reservoir admission. Gates open at 8 a.m. today, tomorrow and Sunday.

For tickets and information, visit www.avp.com, or call 1-866-468-7621. -- Cub Buenning

Ready, Set, Hike
The Climb to Conquer Cancer is a good excuse to do good.
SAT, 8/27

There are probably a few things you've been meaning to do this summer that haven't quite fit into your schedule: exercise a little more, support a good cause, spend more time with loved ones. Now the summer's ending, and you still haven't gotten around to any of them.

But today's Climb to Conquer Cancer -- a non-competitive 10 K walk/run from Golden's Beverly Heights Park to Lookout Mountain -- could help you achieve all your lofty summer goals.

There's no official starting gun, but participants can begin their trek any time between 7 and 10 a.m. at the park, 19th Street and Goldenvue Drive. And while there's nothing quite like a brisk walk in the fresh mountain air, the post-race activities aren't too shabby, either. The lineup includes food, drinks, live music, caricature artists, team photographers, and -- in case you really haven't gotten out of the office much this summer -- massage therapists.

So grab some friends, co-workers or even your dog (on a leash, of course) and join hundreds of other Coloradans to benefit the American Cancer Society. Participants must donate a registration fee and collect pledges; for more information or to sign up, visit www.cancer.org/coloradoclimb. -- Amelia Langer

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What's happening in town? From underground club nights to the biggest outdoor festivals, our top picks for the week's best events will always keep you in on the action.