Training for the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic is available to Durangoans for the 10th consecutive year.

Fort Lewis College, the Durango Community Recreation Center and the Colorado National Guard Armory are offering classes to help prepare participants for the upcoming event.

Training opened Dec. 2 and will continue through May, but registration remains open for anyone wanting help preparing for the Iron Horse.

The program includes 17 weeks of climbing, indoor riding, nutrition assistance and strength training.

Once spring rolls around, the program will shift outdoors for the final eight weeks leading up to the race.

Past participants successfully have completed the Iron Horse 97 percent of the time.

The program accepts both beginning cyclists and experienced riders wanting to improve their times.

Rec center classes are 7 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, with yoga classes 7 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday.

Additional spin classes will take place at noon Tuesday and Thursday, while a spin and strength class will be held at 8:15 a.m. Saturday.

FLC will host classes at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday in December and 6:30 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday from January through March.

The Colorado National Guard Armory in Bodo Park will provide classes at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Participants will need a bike and a trainer for that location, but storage is available.

Sign-up for classes at FLC and the Armory is at Mountain Bike Specialists at 949 Main Avenue.

For more information, contact Jan Derck at 749-7823 or [email protected] or go to www.ironhorsetraining.com.

Let it (fake) snow, let it (fake) snow, let it (fake) snow

Snowmaking operations at the Chapman Hill ski hill will began Dec. 5 and will continue for as often as weather permits, according to a Durango Parks and Recreation Department news release.

At least a foot of snow is required for the hill to open.

Current conditions project a Dec. 21 opening of the ski hill before the Durango 9-R School District winter break.

For more information, contact Durango Parks and Recreation Department at 375-7321 or [email protected].

Durango Soccer Awards’ first show set for Monday

The Durango soccer community is coming together for the first time to honors its participants for their achievements and participation.

The inaugural Durango Soccer Awards will take place at 6 p.m. Monday at the Fort Lewis College Concert Hall.

The Durango Youth Soccer Association combined with the FLC’s men’s and women’s soccer programs for the event.

All players will receive participation certificates, while most valuable player, most improved player and the GOAL award for community involvement will be handed out.

The event will honor a community member for exceptional support of the sport.

Organizers are planning to make the event a yearly fixture to cap the fall soccer season. They are accepting donations and sponsorships to offset the cost of hosting the event.

For more information, contact the DYSA office at 247-1177 or [email protected].

Elks to host its free-throw contest at Escalante

Children aged 8 to 13 can participate in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Annual Basketball Hoopshoot from 9:30 a.m. to noon Saturday in Escalante Middle School gymnasium.

Registration is 9:30-10 a.m., while the contest for 8-9 year olds will begin at 10 a.m.

All participants will receive prizes and an opportunity to compete at the District Competition on Feb. 9 at Fort Lewis College.

For more information, call Gina or Vic Romano at 903-2125 or 749-3392.

Durango Herald