LOCAL NOTES
Athletic activities around the greater Houston area.
CYCLING
Commuting 101 Class at 9 a.m. Saturday at the B-Cycle offices, 407 Velasco, will be led by BikeHouston board chair Regina Garcia. The class is free for members. Visit bikehouston.org.
Educational ride to show riders where they can ride on Houston’s bayous will begin at 8 a.m. Sunday at Niko Niko’s, 301 Milam in Market Square. BikeHouston advisory board member Michael Skelly will lead the leisurely two- to three-hour ride. Contact info@ bikehouston.org.
Easy Riders Cycling Group’s Tour de Lights Caroling Ride meets at 5:30 p.m. Sunday at Ascent Fitness, 1911 W. Alabama Street. Participants will decorate their bikes and sing carols as they ride. Visit meetup.com/Easy-Riders-Houston.
GOLF
Travis Mathew Open will be held Sunday and Monday mornings at the Clubs of Kingwood’s newly renovated Forest Course. Contact pamjannergren@clubcorp.com or 281-348.2278.
Houston Amateur Golf Assocation tournament is Sunday at High Meadow Ranch Golf Course in Magnolia. Visit haga.org. Register for the Dec. 11 tournament BlackHorse Golf Club in Cypress by Thursday.
Little John Golf League tournament will be at 9 a.m. Sunday at Cinco Ranch Golf Club. Contact president@littlejohngolfleague.com.
Amber Black of Houston, one of the organizers of the Tour 28 golf tournament in Humble benefiting the Rose Foundation, receives the GBO female athlete of the year award Saturday in Arlington.
RUNNING
5K Chipped and 1K children’s Jingle Bell Glow Run begins at 7 p.m. Friday in Five Points Park, 201 S. Broadway in La Porte. The 5K kicks off the city’s Christmas parade and supports Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Contact Heather Smith at 281-590-2222 or Heather.Smith@madd.org. Registration is open until 6 p.m.
City of Friendswood Parks & Recreation Flapjack Fun Run is Saturday morning in Stevenson Park, 1100 South Friendswood Drive, to raise funds for city park improvements. The 5K run is named for the pancake breakfast served after the race. Call 281-996-3220.
Trafigura Run for the House 10K, 5K, walk and roll event is Saturday at Sam Houston Park in downtown Houston. The event benefits children and families of the Ronald McDonald House. The Trafigura Foundation will match funds raised up to $300,000. An afterparty with games and free food trucks follows the family friendly morning run. Visit rmhrunforthehouse.com.
Color Vibe 5K is Saturday morning at the Pearland Recreation Center and Natatorium, 4141 Bailey Road. Runners can expect to be tagged with color at each color station. Call 281-412-8900.
Snowball Run at Pines Montessori School will be Saturday morning at 3535 Cedar Knolls Drive in Kingwood. The event features 5K and 1K runs, a 100-yard dash, a rockwall climb, music and a costume contest. Call 281-358-8933.
Run Girl Half Marathon 2 Person Relay and 5K begins Sunday morning at Alexander Deussen Park, 12303 Sonnier Street, and loops through Eisenhower Park. Each runner in the 2 Person Relay will complete one half of the 13.1 mile course. Contact cgodfrey@spectrumwater.com or idutri2@prodigy.net.
Hiking along Brays Bayou at 9 a.m. Sunday via a partnership between HTXOutdoors Hiking Zen and Lone Star Yoga.The group meets at the MacGregor Community Center, 5225 Calhoun, for a 90-minute hike and yoga. Contact amyhope@htxoutdoors.com.
TENNIS
Houston Tennis Association December Challenger tournaments will include more than 500 youngsters Saturday and Sunday at Lee LeClear Tennis Center. The two-day tournament features juniors ages 12 to 18 playing to earn points to qualify for championship status. In addition to Lee LeClear, matches will be played at Homer Ford and Memorial Park tennis centers, Lost Forest Racquet Club, Clements High School and Sienna Plantation. The one-day tournament at Lee LeClear for 10-and-under players has signed up 145 boys and girls. Contact cheryl.h@houstontennis.org or 281-580-8313.
Harry Taylor Pasadena Adult Open will be today through Sunday at Strawberry Park Tennis Center. Contact patnjohn65@aol.com.
Houston Winter Open junior tournament is Saturday and Sunday at Bay Oaks Country Club. Contact sethsuresh@gmail.com.
Holiday Cheer junior tournament deadline is Sunday for the 17th annual event Dec. 10-11 at Lee LeClear. The entry fees include non-perishable food items, gifts for needy children or $5 cash donation for a local shelter. Contact emily.schaefer@houstontx.gov. Wednesday is the deadline for the December 16-18 Giammalva Racquet Club Adult Open. Contact usta@giammalva.com.
Catherine Walker of Houston was a finalist in the girls 12 singles of the USTA National Selection Tournament at Giammalva Racquet Club last weekend. The 256 entrants in the tournament were among the top-ranked players in that age division in the country.
Houston Tennis Association World Team Tennis League registration is open. The league begins in January, and a new private club division is now offered. Contact ann.w@houstontennis.org or call 281-580-8313.