Furman's Brendan Rhim, left, edges Lees-McRae's Alec Hoover to win the Union City Mayor's Cup bicycle race on March 19, 2016, in Union City, Ga. The victory was the Norwich native Rhim's first in collegiate and pro competition this season.
Furman's Brendan Rhim, left, edges Lees-McRae's Alec Hoover to win the Union City Mayor's Cup bicycle race on March 19, 2016, in Union City, Ga. The victory was the Norwich native Rhim's first in collegiate and pro competition this season. Credit: Courtesy photograph

Union City, Ga. — Norwich native Brendan Rhim won his first collegiate and pro cycling races of the season with back-to-back criterium victories at the Union City Mayor’s Race on March 19.

Rhim, a Furman University sophomore, broke away early in the Collegiate A criterium with Auburn’s Nathan Spence before Lees-McRae College rider Alec Hoover made it a threesome lapping the field. Rhim nipped Hoover by a tenth of a second in the sprint finish, clocking a winning time of 51 minutes, 11.6 seconds. Spence was a tenth of a second behind Hoover, and Cooper Willsey, of Hinesburg, Vt., Rhim’s Furman teammate was fourth.

Rhim turned around the afternoon to complete a sweep in the Men’s Pro 1-2 criterium. Riding for the Greenville, S.C.-based Holowesko-Citadel team, Rhim went to the lead on the final lap of the race and maintained a half-second gap to win in 48:47.2, ahead of Axeon Hagens Berman rider Jonathan Brown.

On the PitchGardner Plays in Spain

Norwich — Richmond Middle School seventh-grader Matthew Gardner is back from a recent soccer trip to Barcelona, Spain, where he joined a Global Premier Soccer squad in the Mediterranean International Cup youth tournament.

The American squad reached the round of 16 in the tourney, eventually losing to an FC Barcelona academy squad before a crowd of 2,500 spectators. GPS advanced to knockout play with a 2-1-0 mark in qualifying, then beat Spain’s FC Martinenc in the round of 32. Host FC Barcelona went on to win the tournament, which featured youth academy teams from such European club powers as Italy’s Inter Milan, England’s Manchester City, Portugal’s FC Porto and Spain’s RCD Espanyol.

Gardner made the squad based on his play for the GPS Northern regional team in tournaments held in Massachusetts and Florida this winter. A central defender, Gardner plays for the New Hampshire GPS National Premier League club team based in Bedford, N.H.

On the TrailsClimb Fitness Trail Maintenance

Brownsville — The Climb Fitness Center will hold a two-hour trail maintenance day on Mount Ascutney on April 23.

Called Human Paws for Earth Day, participants are asked to check in at the Sport Trails of the Ascutney Basin at 8:45 a.m. for work that will run from 9-11 a.m. to get trails ready for spring and summer use. Volunteers joining in the effort will receive a two-week pass or membership extension at Climb Fitness.

The center also has a Small Town Throwdown hip-hop exercise dance party scheduled for April 25 from 5:30-6 p.m., with three hours of live music to follow. The nonprofit Climb Fitness Center is located on Hotel Road in Brownsville. Call 802-484-3511 or email NMonnell@theclimbfitness.com for more information.

On the Run, Etc.Zackathlon Offers Options

South Pomfret — Zack’s Place is calling all runners, riders and those looking for a little exercise to join in the Zackathlon at Suicide Six Ski Area on May 22.

The event will offer multiple options for all ages and abilities. The day begins at 9 a.m. with a 45-mile bike ride through Pomfret, Barnard, Bethel, Sharon, Hartford and Woodstock, along with a biathlon consisting of a 4.5-mile run around, up and over the Suicide Six summit and a 17-mile bike ride.

Those choosing only the 4.5-mile run or 17-mile ride will go at 10 a.m., and a one-mile run up Su Six’s Easy Mile kicks off at 11 a.m. Everything returns to the ski area, where Zack’s Place personnel will provide a lunch featuring food from local sources.

The costs to participate are $15 for the one-mile run or $45 for the run or either bike ride. The biathlon costs $45 for individuals and $65 for teams.

All registration begins at 8 a.m., and all proceeds benefit Zack’s Place.

Online registration is available at www.zacksplacevt.org.

Race Around the LakeSet for May 22

Barnard — Five- and 10-kilometer options highlight the third Race Around the Lake, which is scheduled for May 22 at Silver Lake State Park.

The event raises money to help fund BarnArts youth programs. Last year’s race drew 180 runners, and this year’s schedule includes a run or walk option for the 5K or a 10K run, in both cases beginning at Silver Lake. Both routes include elements of scenic paths, wooded single track and back roads with lake views.

Early registration is available at $30 for adults and $15 for children ages 12 and younger. Those who sign up by May 1 will receive a free T-shirt.

The day also includes a complimentary lunch, music, an awards ceremony and a free kids’ race along Silver Lake.

Contact BarnArts executive director Linda Treash at 802-234-1645 or info@barnarts.org for more details.

Olympic Runner at VTC

Randolph Center — Former Olympic distance runner Doug Padilla will hold a free talk for middle school, high school and college athletes on Saturday at Vermont Technical College from 9-11 a.m.

Padilla won 12 national titles and set seven American records during a career that included four years of competition for Brigham Young University. He finished fifth in the 5,000 meters at the 1983 World Championships and seventh at the same distance at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

Padilla’s competitive career ended after being hit by a car while running in 1996, but he worked his way back to health and coached track and field at BYU until retiring two years ago. His talk at VTC will include topics such as motivation and overcoming challenges, and it is free for all interested athletes.

Contact VTC cross country coach Rob Dunkle at rdunkle@vtc.edu for more information.

On the DiamondClaremont Ump Clinic

Claremont — The New Hampshire chapter of the American Softball Association and the Claremont men’s modified-pitch softball league will hold a free clinic for prospective umpires on April 30 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Claremont Recreation Department office on South Street.

For more information, contact Claremont men’s modified umpire-in-chief Jaime DeForge at deforge.jaime@yahoo.com or 603-558-5084.

To the HoopWoodstock Camp

Woodstock — Woodstock Union High School boys basketball coach Jeff Thomas will again host his annual Woodstock Basketball Camp the week of June 20-24 at WUHS.

The weeklong camp is split into two halves, with athletes entering grades 4-7 meeting from 9 a.m.-noonand those moving into grades 8-12 working out from 1-4 p.m. Participants will hear from guest speakers during the week while also working on a variety of skills and playing games, leading to a post-camp awards ceremony at the end of the week.

The cost for the camp is $100, which includes a T-shirt and basketball. All campers must be covered by a family insurance policy in order to participate. Contact Thomas at 802-763-7947 or jthomas@wcsu.net for more information.