Winter Iowa Games
When: Saturday-Feb. 12
The Winter Iowa Games includes five weekends of competition in 11 communities, involving 21 sports, starting Saturday with swimming events at Loras College in Dubuque. The weekend of Jan. 27-29, Dubuque hosts the majority of events, such as Alpine ski racing, archery, a fitness walk, martial arts, volleyball and more.
Adult men’s basketball, broomball, dodgeball, figure skating and adult ice hockey will be held in Cedar Rapids on Feb. 11-12. There will be a fitness walk in Des Moines at 8 a.m. Feb. 11 starting at the Kaleidoscope in the downtown skywalk. Online registration and registration forms for the walk and the games are available at iowagames.org.
Des Moines Winter Games
When: Feb. 3-5
Des Moines Parks and Recreation and Sleepy Hollow Sports Park host the Des Moines Winter Games, which will kick off with the Polar Plunge at 5 p.m. Feb. 3. More than 12,000 people have participated in the games during the past four years. Events set for this year include downhill ski biking, Zi-Bob racing, downhill kayak and cardboard sled racing, and broomball and “Sno-ball” softball tournaments. (Due to a lack of ice, pond hockey and ice fishing have been canceled.) Registration is required for some events. For more information, visit dmparks.org, dmwintergames.com or call 248-6310.
35th Annual BRR (Bike Ride to Rippey)
When: Feb. 4
If Iowa’s weather doesn’t change much this winter, there may not be much “brr” in the Bike Ride to Rippey this year. The Perry Chamber of Commerce will host the 35th annual ride regardless of the weather — that means if there’s lots of snow and ice, the ride still goes on, too, complete with a hot chocolate break midway to Rippey. The day begins with a breakfast by the Lions Club at the Hotel Pattee, 7-10:30 a.m., and registration or pickup of materials for those already signed up at the TownCraft Building. The ride, a total distance of 24 miles, starts at 10 a.m. Cost is $25 in advance, $30 day of the ride. For more information, visit perryia.org/brr.
Red Flannel Run
When: Feb. 11
Get into the spirit of this annual run by wearing a costume. “Celebrity” judges will determine the winners, who will get prizes at a ceremony after the race. Awards are also given for winners in different age divisions, making this run ideal for the whole family. Choose a 3- or 5-mile route through downtown. Entry fee is $25. For more information, visit dmymca.org/en/find _a_y/ riverfront_ymca.
Skywalk Golf
When: Feb. 11
The largest miniature golf tournament of its kind is hosted in the three-mile skywalk system in downtown Des Moines. This year’s event will help benefit The First Tee of Greater Des Moines, a program that provides learning facilities and educational programs that promote character development and life-enhancing values through the game of golf. Tee times begin at 8 a.m. Each hole is designed and hosted by a local business or organization. Prizes are awarded to players for every hole-in-one by the tee sponsor of that hole. The top finisher in each age division will receive a prize, and all you need to bring is a putter. Registration is $25 per person and includes a T-shirt and souvenir golf ball. Each registrant can buy a $5 raffle ticket to win a Ping driver worth $400. For more information or to volunteer, visit skywalkgolf.com.
Urbandale Indoor Triathlon
When: Feb. 25
A wide variety of triathlons are scheduled throughout Iowa for 2012. This indoor triathlon requires athletes to swim 500 yards, ride a stationary bike 10 miles and run 3.1 miles on a treadmill. Start time is 8 a.m. at the Urbandale public swimming pool, 7201 Aurora Ave., Urbandale. Fees are $50 for individuals, $80 for teams. Register at urbandalepool.org. Get more information at parks-rec@urbandale.org or call 278-3959. Find more triathlons in Iowa at trifind.com/ia.html.
Fight for Air Climb
When: March 4
Join individuals and teams who will climb to the top of three buildings in downtown Des Moines: EMC Insurance Companies (369 steps), Hub Tower (364 steps) and the Des Moines Marriott Downtown (446 steps). Participants can climb one, two or all three of the buildings. All participants are required to raise a minimum of $100 ($50 for children) on or before the day of the event or pay the outstanding amount to benefit the American Lung Association. Registration fee is $25. Practicing in the buildings before the event date is not allowed. Register online by Feb. 27 at fightforairclimb.org.
