Author: Jenny Willden

The Latest Performance Cycling & Running Wear By Jenny Willden Retire your worn-out duds and spring for new race- and training-wear this season. Our staff did the dirty work for you by testing the latest cycling and running pieces, then picking our favorites to feature here. Find them at local cycling and running shops or online.

Come one, come all to a mud/obstacle race that’s fun for everyone on Saturday, July 14, 2012 at Throttle 215 MX Park (2800 N. Rose Park Lane, Salt Lake City). You’ll slide, crawl, swing, run, and jump your way through challenging obstacles, and get really dirty in the process, on this multi-loop course. Run three laps to complete this 5K on your own, or enlist two friends to create a relay team where each of you completes one lap. The course design allows spectators to watch every minute of the action while cheering on their loved ones. Whether you’re a…

Ok, this race isn’t lighthearted. It’s an intense competition, but it certainly is unique! Start conditioning your heart now and get ready to challenge yourself by running as fast as you can up and down the stairs in Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake on August 4, 2012. One lap is is 3,500 stairs, twice is 7,000, and three times is an insane 10,500 stairs! How far can you go? You won’t know until you try. Waves start at 7:00 a.m. Register together if you want to run at the same time. All participants get a tech tee. vigorutah.com

Embark on a devilish adventure at this 5K in Ogden on Saturday, August 4, 2012. Racers ascend the Purgatory course and conquer the 7 Deadly Sins-themed obstacles before entering the pearly gates and the Beer Garden of Eden where live music, food and drinks await. Obstacles include: cargo net climbing, running through the river, mud pit crawling, darting through fire, and more. Costumes encouraged! Call 970-812-3274 for more info. devildash.com

Calling all ladies! Grab your bestie and head to Moab for a new women’s half marathon on Saturday, May 12, 2012. The race was conceived in the spirit of Thelma & Louise, the 1991 film about two friends who find themselves on the run and end up in the desert. The downhill course descends from Canyonlands National Park (near where the movie’s final scenes were shot) on a scenic highway with stunning views of canyons, rock formations, mountains, and Arches National Park. Runners will be supporting two great organizations by participating in this race: Girls On The Run and Seekhaven…

Smart Marathon Training: Run Your Best Without Running Yourself Ragged By Jeff Horowitz Train smarter, not harder, with the help of this book by certified running and triathlon coach, Jeff Horowitz. Jeff’s unique approach helps you avoid burnout by reducing training to three essential runs per week combined with low-impact cross-training like cycling. This book also guides you in 75 exercises to strengthen key running muscles to prevent injury and boost fitness. Plus, the included training plans for half and full marathons will help guide you to your best finish yet! $18.95 smartmarathontraining.com

Get dirty (or clean) at this wild obstacle course/mud run race at Fort Buenaventura Park in Ogden on August 3–4, 2012. Pick your own start time and charge through a course filled with foam, inflatable obstacles, colossal walls, mud pits, cargo net climbs, body washer, moon walk, slip-n-slides, and water obstacles. 5kfoamfest.com

Relax and ride with your girlfriends on Saturday, July 21, 2012 at this cycling relay from Snowbasin Ski Resort to Soldier Hollow. Get pampered along the way with soothing massages, mini manicures, a chocolate fountain, and even shopping at the relay exchange points. Plus, you’ll get a cute shirt, finisher’s ring, and window decal. Teams can be two or four ladies, and you’ll travel a total of 161 miles. Choose to ride in Race or Tour categories. Cost is $90 per person for 4-person teams and $100 per person for 2-person teams. rockwellrelay.com

Bring a pair of shoes to donate to Soles4Souls charity, then run this race barefoot! Shoe-wearing runners are also welcome. The race takes place on Saturday, May 26, 2012 in Salt Lake and includes free events for the whole family like a kids’ 1K race, foot painting, foot massages, shoe kicking contest, live music, and more. There will also be a healthy living expo and clinics before the event on how to run like you’re barefoot with well-known runners and authors. Find Naked Foot 5K on Facebook for venue information and a chance to win great prizes. thenakedfoot5k.com

Brighten your life at this new, springtime 5K at Utah Valley University in Orem on Saturday, April 28, 2012. You begin this race with a snow white t-shirt, then you’ll be doused in a rainbow of colors as you run kilometer after kilometer to cross the finish line in tie-dyed beauty. Your face, shirt, and body will be covered in pinks, purples, blues, and greens! The best part? The tossed color is simply non-toxic, non-rash-inducing colored corn starch. Invite a group of friends to maximize your fun potential. colormerad.com