From the Columbia Regional Sports Council
Rowing teams choose Columbia

Once again several rowing crews from around the nation have come to the Richland County Rowing Center for spring training. Teams include Syracuse University, Colgate University, Tabor Academy, and St. Mark's School of Massachusetts. Spring training for these teams is presently underway and will last until Saturday, March 22.

More than 150 rowers will enjoy three miles of unobstructed flat- water found on the Broad River. The Richland County Rowing Center off Garner Lane is the launching base for these training sessions.

Hosting teams of this nature generate awareness of the Columbia Riverbanks Region and provide an economic impact on the community. Executive director for the Columbia Regional Sports Council, Scott Posers said, "This is valuable business for the Columbia Riverbanks Region. This program continues to grow as more teams learn about the Broad River, the Richland County rowing facilities, and the Columbia Rowing Club that works hard to be the perfect host for these teams. We look forward to making a friendly and lasting impression on these and future crews."

Congaree Vista Grand Prix Hits The Pavement

Congaree Vista Grand Prix, an international cycling race sanctioned and promoted as part of the USA CRITS Super Week Series comes to Columbia May 3. The free and open to the public event will take place on Park and Gervais Streets. More than 10,000 people are expected to be in attendance.

Schedule is as follows (Race start times subject to change): 5 pm Music stage/expo area open; 6 pm- Men's Elite Open event- $2000 in prizes; 7 pm- Wheels Corporate Challenge event; 7:45- pm USA Crits Speedweek professional women's event- over $5000 in prizes; 8:45 pm - USA CRITS Speedweek professional men's event- over $10000 in prizes.

Criterium racing historically runs on short laps through city streets and stresses high- speed races contested amidst a thriving urban atmosphere. USA CRITS has been developed to feature riders and offer venues, teams, and riders the ability to excel in a unique discipline of cycling.

For more information contact Scott Fulmer, Fulspeed Sports at 803-422-6831 or fulspeed@gmail.com.

15th Annual Marine Corps Ultimate Challenge Run must go on

Despite the deployment of the local Marine Reserves unit, the 15th Annual Marine Corps Ultimate Challenge Run will go on as planned, Saturday, September 20. The Ultimate Challenge Run, also known as the "Mud Run," is over 4.3 miles and has plenty of mud and obstacles that have to be crossed by a four person team requiring teamwork and determination. More than 700 teams of four from all over the Southeast are expected to participate.

The Greater Columbia Marine Foundation sponsors the event annually to raise money to support local Marines and the families of the Marines who have been wounded or killed while serving active duty. Proceeds from the event also go to local and national charitable organizations and are used to support several local college scholarships named after Marines killed serving their country.

The event has been placed in the hands of Jaime Lomas of Eggplant Events. She said, "It's going to be difficult to put the event together with most of the team being deployed; however, I believe we can do it. We are going to do it." To help sponsor the event, contact 803.754.4158 or Jaime@eggplantevents.com or visit www.usmcmudrun.org.