Big Cedar Rapids sporting events just around the corner

Longtime readers of this section will remember the late Gus Schrader and his 'Red Peppers' columns.

Schrader, who died 16 years ago next month days after penning his final column for The Gazette, used something he called 'pass the hash' when making quick observations in his columns. Some columns were 'all hash today.'

Well, today is one of those days for this sports editor.

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l Several weeks ago I wrote about some rather unique events coming to Eastern Iowa, including the International Jugglers Association 2017 Juggling Festival, which kicks off July 10 in Cedar Rapids.

There are a couple of events just around the corner that aren't new or unique, but two of the best summer offerings in Eastern Iowa.

The first is the 32nd annual Fifth Season Races, featuring the Health Solutions 8K. The Fourth of July road race has had different names in its long history — it's the longest consecutive running 8K in the country — and different routes, but the 8K always has been the marquee race.

The 4.97-mile run has attracted some of the best talent in the U.S., including Olympians and NCAA champions. Olympian Keith Brantly still holds the event record, a blistering 22-minute, 38-second clocking in 1988.

This year's race, which will start and finish in front of Greene Square in downtown Cedar Rapids on July 4, will offer $3,148 in prize money, including $599 to the overall male and female winners. The top seven finishers earn cash prizes and there is a $300 bonus for breaking the event records.

The board of the Corridor Running Club, which has hosted the race since its inception in 1986, will serve as race director.

To register or for more information, click here.

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l Another big event coming early next month is the seventh annual Zach Johnson Foundation Classic.

This event attracts some of the best golfers in the world and this year will feature Bill Haas, Brian Harman and Davis Love III, among others. A few more golfers likely will be added in the next week or so.

Haas has won six PGA Tour events and tied for fifth at the U.S. Open a couple of weeks ago. Harman tied for second at the U.S. Open and the popular Love III, who caddied for his son at the U.S. Open, has won 21 PGA Tour titles and captained the last two U.S. Ryder Cup teams.

This year's classic tees up July 10 at Elmcrest Country Club. There is no charge, but tickets are required and can be picked up at all Cedar Rapids and Marion Hy-Vee grocery and drugstores. More information is here.

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l Speaking for former Gazette sports editors, Mike Chapman, the man who followed Schrader in this chair, has a new book out titled 'A Journey: Reflections of 50 years of Writing, Wrestling, Weightlifting and Heroes.'

The memoir, Chapman's 29th book, has many stories about his days in Cedar Rapids, including tales about Larry Lawrence, the Cedar Rapids Boxing Club and Steve Eden.

The book is available through publisher Culture House or here.

l Comments: (319) 368-8696; jr.ogden@thegazette.com