Here is a look at two events associated with the XTERRA Midwest Championship triathlon race, which will be held this weekend on Milwaukee's Lakefront:

What: XTERRA MILWAUKEE SCRAMBLE 5K/10K (a benefit for the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee mentoring programs).
When: 9 a.m. Saturday.
Where: Veterans Park.
The skinny: Forget boring old road runs that conquer miles and miles of concrete and asphalt, the XTERRA Milwaukee Scramble is a "mud in your eye, don't twist your ankle on that rock" kind of run. All along Lake Michigan, you'll discover beautiful and challenging trails. These are, in fact, the same 5k and 10k scramble paths that Sunday's XTERRA competitors will tackle on their way to the finish line.

"It was a slow run on grass and slippery mud," said last year's pro champion Conrad Stoltz, from South Africa. "Inside the forest, I couldn't believe how slippery it was. I fell on the run inside this huge big muddy pool, skidded down and lost my glasses in the bushes somewhere. It was really funny, I enjoyed it."

New for this year are the corporate and YMCA branch team challenges, so get together with your co-workers and take on another company! Proceeds from the Scrambles benefit the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee Mentoring Programs. Awards go to the top three in each age group, plus team awards for the largest corporate and YMCA branch teams (runners+volunteers) and the fastest corporate and YMCA branch teams (cumulative times of first three finishers).

Get to know Milwaukee in a whole new way -- all while breathing in some fresh air and exercising your way to the start of a great day.

What: ALTERRA MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDE
When: 11 a.m. Saturday.
Where: Veterans Park.
The skinny: The Alterra Coffee Roasters are not only the favorite coffee house of XTERRA, they're also sponsoring the inaugural Alterra Mountain Bike ride through the historic Milwaukee River trails. Two distances will be offered -- four miles for beginners and eight miles for the intermediate / advanced riders. The races are $25 and all proceeds benefit the Friends of Milwaukee's Trails, a non-profit organization designed to promote the healthy, active, outdoors lifestyle through trail use. Alterra will provide cool t-shirts and awards. To register, call Neil at (262) 478-0631, check your local bike shop, or sign-up on-site between 9-10:30 a.m.

Post a comment / write a review.

Recent blogs/briefs by OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writers

Dylan reworks Dylan at the Riverside Nov. 07, 2008 A Bob Dylan show does not sound like a Bob Dylan greatest hits album. Nor should it. In ...