Lebanon — The Upper Valley road racing scene will heat up with a pair of events next month.

The annual Skip Matthews Memorial Race hits its 15th birthday on June 17 in downtown Lebanon. The four-mile race commemorates the life of Matthews, who died from brain cancer in 2003.

Since then, the race — which begins and ends in front of City Hall and covers part of the Northern Rail Trail — has raised money for the Norris Cotton Cancer Center’s tumor research program.

The day kicks off with Brady’s Fun Run/Walk, a one-mile route starting at 9 a.m. The four-mile run gets going at 10 a.m. River Valley Community College will provide post-race massages, and awards along with a barbecue will follow immediately after the race.

The cost to participate is $25 for adults (ages 19 and older) and $20 for youths (ages 18 and younger). There is no charge for the one-mile run run/walk. Online registration is available through the link at www.skipsrun.org. Day-of-race registration will also be available until 8:30 a.m. for the fun run/walk and 9 a.m. for the four-miler.

For more information, contact Fran Oscadal at foscadal@gmail.com or 603-448-4121.

The Enfield Village Association will fire up the annual Shaker 7 road race on June 24 for its 14th edition.

The race covers a seven-mile route around Mascoma Lake, beginning and ending at Shaker Recreation Park in Enfield. A three-mile walk option is also available. Proceeds from the Shaker 7 go toward projects and events run by the EVA, which seeks to enhance the town’s cultural, recreational and natural resources.

The cost to participate is $30 for adults and $15 for students. Online registration is available through www.enfieldmainstreet.org. Day-of-race registration will be available starting at 7:30 a.m., and both the run and walk will fire off at 9 a.m.

The Shaker 7 is part of the nine-race Upper Valley Running Series overseen by the Upper Valley Running Club. For the complete schedule of events, visit www.uppervalleyrunningclub.org.

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 free.

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.

On the Tee

Lebanon Legion Tourney

Lebanon — Guyer-Carignan American Legion Post 22 is gearing up for its annual fundraising golf tournament at Carter Country Club on June 2.

The tournament benefits the post’s American Legion baseball scholarship program, which awards $1,000 for each Post 22 player who goes on to play baseball in college, spread out over four years. Proceeds also go toward the operation of Post 22’s senior and junior Legion teams.

The 18-hole scramble for five-player teams begins with an 11 a.m. check-in for the noon start. The tournament and barbecue continue until 6 p.m., with music and dancing scheduled for 5:30-9:30 p.m. as well. The cost to play is $125 per person, with a maximum of 16 teams. Hole sponsorships are also available for $75.

Mail completed forms with payment to Guyer-Carginan American Legion Post 22, attn: Pete St. Pierre, 189 Mechanic Street, Lebanon, NH 03766. For more information, contact St. Pierre at 603-448-3429.

On the Pitch

LSC Sonic Sounds Off

Meriden — After a draw and two losses to kick off their spring season, the Lightning Soccer Club’s U16 Sonic boys soccer team rolled to a 5-1 win over GPS NH Elite on Sunday at Kimball Union Academy’s Pope Field.

GPS started the scoring, but the Sonic ended it emphatically. David Stoffel got LSC going by scoring shortly after the visitors’ goal, a 1-1 tie that held through halftime.

William Ermarth broke the draw with a pair of one-on-ones with the GPS goalkeeper. Amane Matsuoka converted a penalty kick to make it 4-1 and closed the scorign by volleying a drive set up by P’Jhae-Don Douglas’ end line free kick.

Andrew Enelow settled into his goalkeeping chores to claim the victory. Defenders Judd Alexander, Gray Messersmith, Ethan Ross and Samuel Twarog helped secure the result.

With a Grunt

USA Weightlifting at CCBA

Lebanon — The Thor’s Stone Athletic Club will host an Olympic-style weightlifting meet on May 19 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 Oval

Hartford Youth Track

White River Junction — The Hartford Parks and Recreation Department’s youth track and field program is getting set for the start of the spring and summer season.

Under the direction of coach Heid Geha, the team will hold workouts at Wendell A. Barwood Arena beginning on May 29 at 6 p.m. Boys and girls of all skill levels are welcome to join. The program gives all young athletes the chance to compete in a local track meet as well as the Vermont Recreation and Parks Association’s state meet in St. Johnsbury later on July 21.

Participants will be placed in age-appropriate programs. Athletes ages 7-14 as of Aug. 31 are eligible to compete at states. All are reminded to wear comfortable clothing and bring a water bottle.

The registration deadline is May 24. Online registration is available at www.hartfordrec.com. Hartford Parks and Rec’s office at the Hartford Municipal Building will also accept registrations during normal business hours.