Here is a summary of coming public sporting events and recreational activities in the Mountain West. If you have an item of public interest, contact the Deseret News sports department at 237-2161 or mail information to Sports Recreation Editor, 30 E. 100 South, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84110.
Running
Taken from The Utah Runner and Cyclist guide, P.O. Box 8344, Salt Lake City, UT 84108.
SATURDAY, Dec. 31, Beat the New Year 5K. The race starts 11:30 p.m. at Sugarhouse Park. 485-8520.
SATURDAY, Dec. 31, the Happy New Year Fun Run. Start 5 p.m. at Senior Citizens Building in American Fork, 54 E. Main. Send registration to Hoopers/Fastrack Sports, 91 E. 100 North, American Fork, UT 84003.
SUNDAY, Jan. 1, the New Year 5K in Evanston, Wyo. Start 10 a.m. 307-789-6738.
SATURDAY, Jan. 21, the Salt Lake Track Club 50 kilometer series. Start noon at Quality Inn Airport/International Center, 5575 W. Amelia Earhart Drive. This race a 5K. A four-race series. 262-7127.
SATURDAY, Jan. 21, the Wasatch Overland. A 12K tour that leaves from Brighton at 9 a.m. Return transportation not provided. Includes lunch. Get entries from Wasatch Touring, 100 S. 700 East.
Skiing
CROSS COUNTRY COMPETITION. Dec. 31 is the Utah Winter Games Biathlon Ski Race at White Pine Touring Center. Time: 10 a.m. Distance: 10K. Technique: Skate. Contact: Utah Winter Games (975-4515) or Gary Wallin (254-1562) . . . Jan. 1 is the Utah Winter Games Biathlon Ski Relay at White Pine Touring Center. Time: 10 a.m. Distance: 3 x 7.5K. Technique: Skate. Contact: Utah Winter Games (975-4515) or Gary Wallin (254-1562) . . . Jan. 6 is the Utah Winter Games Cross-Country Ski Race at White Pine Touring Center. Time: 11 a.m. men, 1:15 p.m. women, 3 p.m. kids. Distance: kids 1-5K, women 10K, men 15K. Technique: Classical. Contact: Utah Winter Games, 975-4515 . . . Jan. 7 is the Utah Winter Games Cross-Country Race at White Pine Touring Center. Time: 9 a.m. women, 10:30 a.m. men, 12:30 p.m. kids. Distance: Kids 1-5K, women 5K, men 10K. Technique: Skate. Contact: Utah Winter Games, 975-4515.
SKI PROGRAM. Salt Lake County is taking registration for the after-school ski program for junior high students in Granite and Jordan districts. This is for Group 2 schools only. The program begins in February at Brighton Ski Resort. Deadline is Jan. 20. Cost is $65. Ski rentals or snowboard rentals is $26. Chartered transportation is provided to and from school. 468-2560.
Baseball
UMPIRE. Salt Lake Community College of Continuing Education is offering a class winter quarter on Baseball Umpiring. It will teach the mechanics of umpiring baseball and prepares students to join local amateur umpiring associations. For information call 957-3111.
Basketball
JUNIOR JAZZ. Salt Lake County's Junior Jazz Basketball program will begin Jan. 7. It will be held every Saturday from 1-4 p.m. at Granite Park Junior High, 450 E. 3700 South. Cost is $45. It includes 10 games, team photo, Utah Jazz ticket, player appearance and awards. 561-0075.
Salt Lake County is taking registration for women's B winter basketball league at Valley Jr. High on Monday nights. Play begins Feb. 7. Deadline is Jan. 20. Registrations taken first come, first served. 468-2560.
Volleyball
WALLYBALL. Alta Canyon Sports Center is starting a drop-in league for all levels of play. This is on-going event. Informal leagues on Wednesdays at 10 p.m. and Friday at 9 p.m. Free for members, $4 for non-members. Structured league on Saturdays and Wednesdays, with round-robin and double elimination tournaments every 6 weeks. 942-2582.
LEAGUE. Salt Lake County is taking applications for Winter Volleyball League for men's A (Wednesdays at Churchill), Women's (Tuesdays at Bonneville) and Coed B (Tuesdays at Hunter Junior). Play begins in late January. Register before Jan. 13. Cost is $145 per team. 468-2560.
TRYOUTS. Salt Lake County and Utah Jrs. are holding the volleyball tryouts for club volleyball at Churchill Jr. High for 5th and 6th grade girls on Jan. 9 at 5:30 p.m. 272-4680.
Other events
PRACTICAL SHOOTING. The Salt Lake Practical Shooting Association will hold monthly matches and practice sessions. Monthly matches will be held at 9 a.m. on the third Saturday of each month at the Hendricksen PMAA range at the East Canyon exit of I-80 in Parleys Canyon. Call 580-7836 or 942-8573.
REI CLINICS. On Jan. 3, Dave Grissom and Tate Jensen, shop technicians, will offer a clinic on basic alpine ski care. Will include tips on base preparation, edge sharpening and determining when your skis should go to the shop . . . On Jan. 10, members of the Hawk Watch International will present a slide show and discussion on birds of prey and the environmental hazards that threaten them . . . On Jan. 17, Utah photographer Howie Garber will share his stories and slides from two summers hiking, sea-kayaking, fishing and viewing wildlife in Alaska . . . On Jan. 24, snow hazard experts from Utah Avalanche Forecast Center will teach a basic avalanche awareness clinic . . . On Jan. 31, Alexis Kelmer and Dave Hanscom, authors of the book "Wasatch Tours," will present a talk and slide show on where to ski in the Wasatch . . . All clinics are free and begin at 7 p.m. All clinics are at REI, 3285 E. 3300 South. 486-2100.
DISABLE PROGRAMS. Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation is pleased to offer recreation and leisure experiences to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. Adapted Sports is designed to meet the physical and social needs of each participant. The objectives are to teach fundamentals of sports with emphasis on fun, cooperation, fair play and team building skills. 561-0075.
RACQUETBALL. Alta Canyon Sports Center is offering a free drop-in racquetball class for players ages 8-14 on Fridays from 4:30-5:30 p.m. 942-2582.
WEIGHT LIFTING. Alta Canyon Sports is offering Teen Weight Training Workouts Tuesdays and Thursdays 4-6 p.m., and on Saturday 10-11 a.m. Coaching provided. Fee is $1.50 for area residents, $2.50 for others. 942-2582.
ADAPTIVE DANCE. Salt Lake County's Adaptive Dance program will begin Jan. 7 from 6-7 p.m. The class will be held at Copper View Community Center. Cost is $15 per month. call 561-0075 to register.