Rocky Mountain G3 Gravity Series

Aug. 18-19, Granby

• The buzz: The fast action of downhill mountain racing biking hits SolVista Basin for a weekend of gravity-fueled madness. It's a gravity stage race in which each rider gets three runs, two on a downhill course and one on a Super-D course. The lower the total time, the better.

• What's up: SolVista quickly has become a hot spot for downhill riding. Its new trails are shorter and less physically demanding than those at some other resorts, but that means they emphasize speed and technical perfection.

• Also: The event carries a $10,000 prize purse and awards that go five deep in each category.

• Info: g3gravityseries.com.

Denver Oyster Urban Adventure Race

8 a.m., Aug. 18, Denver

• The buzz: Teams of three or six test their athletic skills in running, biking, paddling, inline skating, climbing and navigation while also using thought- provoking strategy to find several checkpoints around the city. The event, which takes two to five hours to finish, started in Denver four years ago and has become a national series, with other races in Seattle, San Francisco and Austin, Texas.

• What's up: There are three course options geared toward competitive, corporate and family teams. Visit the event's Web site for a gear list and a video that shows what an Oyster race is all about.

• Also: The Oyster this year benefits Special Olympics Colorado.

• Info: oysterracingseries.com.

Pearl Street Mile

6 p.m., Aug. 30, Boulder

• The buzz: Several streets in downtown Boulder are closed as 800 runners pound the pavement in one mile race. The event draws hundreds of spectators near the downtown mall, ranging from running fans, restaurantgoers, tourists and random passers-by.

• What's up: You don't have to be fast to have fun. In addition to waves for elite men and women, there also are separate races for children (11 and younger), masters runners and open runners. Some people run for the prize money; others run in costumes with friends and family.

• Also: Entry fees (which include a T-shirt) are $15 for adults and $10 for children, through Aug. 23. But don't delay, because the race could fill up before race day.

• Info: 5430sports.com.

10 more events to challenge your mettle

• Friday, Saturday: Animal Tracking Class, Rocky Mountain National Park, 970-586-0108; rmna.org.

• Saturday, Sunday: Outdoor Rock Climbing Class, Estes Park, 800-836-4008; totalclimbing.com.

• Sunday: Lookout Mountain Hill Climb 4.5-mile Run, Golden, 303-870-0487, runuphillracing.com.

• Aug. 17-19: Ride the Divide 100-mile Mountain Bike Race, Salida, 303-875-9000; rtd100.com.

• Aug. 18: Moonlight Classic Nighttime Bike Tours, Denver, 303-282-9020, moonlight-classic.com.

• Aug. 18-19: 10th Basalt River Days, Basalt, 970-927-4031, basaltchamber.com.

• Aug. 18-19: 24 Hours in the Sage Mountain Bike Race, Gunnison, 24hoursinthesage.com.

• Aug. 19: Continental Divide Trail 26-Mile Trail Run, Steamboat Springs; runningseries.com.

• Aug. 19: Muddy Buddy Run & Ride, Boulder, muddybuddy@mesp.com; muddybuddy.com.

• Aug. 25: Tour de Cure Colorado 20K/50K/100K, Longmont, 720-855-1102, ext. 7020; diabetes.org.

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