Gearing up for its seventh year, the Western New Hampshire Trail Running Series resumes on Mother’s Day, May 13, with the Dirty 5K, beginning and ending at the Ray School in Hanover.

Now in its seventh year, the series is a collective group of trail events that range in distance from 5-12.5 kilometers, intended to highlight the natural beauty of the Upper Valley.

What started as a modest way to benefit local recreation departments has grown into a high caliber event series, with standings for various categories.

Organizers bill the races to be fun for everyone, from the beginner trail runner that just wants to veer off the pavement and try something new to seasoned trail racers.

For more information about the series or to register for an event, visit www.wnhtrs.com.

With the Dogs

Iditarod Comes to Newport

Newport — Newport native and Towle High School graduate Bill Bartlett will return to the area to share his experiences in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race during a talk at the Richards Free Library’s ballroom on Tuesday.

Owner of an animal science degree from UNH as well as a keen interest in sled dogs, Bartlett ran the famous Alaska race — with town support — in 1980. In addition to having a career in bovine podiatry, Bartlett and his wife, Heidi, have owned Bartlett’s Blueberry Farm for nearly 40 years.

The talk will run from 6:30-8 p.m. and is free to the public.

The ballroom is handicapped accessible, and light refreshments will be served.

On the Ice

UVHA Annual Meeting

White River Junction — The Upper Valley Hockey Association will hold its annual membership meeting on April 25.

The meeting starts at 6 p.m. and will be held at the Kinney Pike Insurance Agency in White River Junction. The public is invited to attend.

For more information, contact UVHA secretary Sarah Morlock at secretary@uvha.org.

On the Run

Save a Stray 5K

Newport — The Sullivan County Humane Society will hold its fifth Save a Stray 5K road race on June 23, beginning at the Corbin Covered Bridge.

The race, which will start at 10 a.m., is a fundraiser for SCHS, which provides help for homeless animals and sponsors spay and neuter clinics. Pre-registration is $20 and comes with a free event T-shirt for the first 100 runners to sign up. Kids under the age of 12 are welcome to run at no cost. Race-day registration will also be available, starting at 8:30 a.m.

The day will include prizes for the top male and female finishers in several age groups, raffle prizes and a post-race barbecue, all taking place at the covered bridge.

Visit www.sullivancountyhumanesociety.org or contact Laurie Waterman at 603-381-0715 or laurie_waterman@comcast.net for more information.

In the Dojo

Hartford Hosts Nihon Aikijujutsu

White River Junction — Holistic Healthcare on Holiday Drive is hosting this traditional martial arts program combining Aikido and Nihon Jujutsu.

The class will focus on movement, balance, locks, holds, takedowns and Japanese yoga.

Open for males and females aged 14 and older, it will take place Mondays and Wednesdays from 6-7 p.m. from April 23-May 23.

Fees are $45 for residents and $60 for non-residents.

Register prior to first session at www.hartfordrec.com.

Youth Karate

White River Junction — Join in for an ongoing traditional Japanese karate program teaching basic to advanced movements and forms, emphasizing self awareness and confidence. Students may test for traditional karate rank belts as they progress in each session.

Please wear loose, comfortable clothes.

Register at www.hartfordrec.com.

Off The Tee

First Tee Junior Golf

West Lebanon — Fore-U Golf Center is hosting spring junior golf lessons for youths aged 8-11.

The program blends golf fundamentals with life-building skills such as character, injury, sportsmanship and perseverance.

The four-week course runs on Wednesdays from 4:30-5:30 p.m., beginning May 2.

The fee is $75, Register at lebanonnh.gov/246/Recreation-Parks.

In the Wild

Wilderness Skills Clinics

Windsor — The Windsor Recreation Department is hosting wilderness skills training sessions for students in grades 3-6 on Wednesdays through May 11.

The courses, taught by instructor James Aldrich, are held from 3-4 p.m. at the Windsor Fairgrounds.

The course began on Wednesday, but those wishing to register for the remainder of the series may still do so. Call 802-674-6783 or email hladue@windsorvt.org.

With a Paddle

CRPT Map Released

The second edition of the Connecticut River Paddlers Trail illustrated map and guide has been released. The waterproof map helps users discover the paddlers trail’s 38 campsites and 85 access points, including four campsites added since the first edition of the map.

Visit www.connecticutriverpaddlerstrail.org/crpt7/mapandguide for more info or to order a copy.

With a Grunt

USA Weightlifting at CCBA

Lebanon — Thor’s Stone Athletic Club will be hosting an Olympic-level weightlifting meet on May 19 with the first lift starting at 2:30 p.m. at the CCBA’s Witherell Recreation Center.

The official USA Weightlifting sanctioned meet will consist of two lifts: the snatch and the clean and jerk. Competitors, both male and female, range in age from around 20 to 78.

The event is open to the public and admission is free.

On the Board

Spring Break Chess Camp

Hanover — The Black Center and chess coach Prathiba Yuarajan will host three days of three-hour sessions as kids learn to master tactics and strategies of chess.

The camp will have an hour of lesson time and an hour of tactics and puzzle time before introductions to other fun ways to play chess, including monster chess, bug house, three-way and four-way chess.

Kids will also be encouraged to play competitively in tournaments.

The class runs from 12:30-3:30 p.m. on April 17, 18 and 19. It is open for kids aged 5-14 and costs $175 for residents and $185 for non-residents.

Register at www.hanoverrec.com/info/activities/.