Durango’s Winter Bike to Work Day Rolls In

Catch the end of the Soup for the Soul fundraiser. Don’t miss the city of Durango’s Commuter Challenge and winter bike to work day, and Silverton’s Annual Skijoringe races will be held on President’s weekend. You’re watching the local News Roundup, brought to you by San Juan Regional Medical Center and M&R Plumbing. I’m Sadie Smith. You still have time to slurp your way through Soup for the Soul, which runs through February 14th. Now in its 18th year, Soup for the Soul nourishes the body, warms the heart, and supports excellence in hospice care. Hosted by the Mercy Health Foundation, 16 Durango restaurants offer bowls of soup for sale with $5 donated to Hospice of Mercy for each bowl of soup sold. Pick up a soup for the soul passport at Alpine Bank or any participating restaurant. Get a stamp for each bowl purchased, then drop off your passport at Alpine Bank in Durango or Three Springs. Passports with five or more stamps will be entered into a raffle for a prize basket. All proceeds help provide compassionate care for terminally ill patients and their families through Hospice of Mercy. The city of Durango highlights the benefits of sustainable transportation with the commuter challenge and winter bike to work day. The challenge runs from February 8th through February 14th. Participants walk, bike, roll, take transit, carpool, ski, or telecommute instead of driving alone. Participants earn points for each sustainable trip, whether it’s a commute, an errand, or a social outing. But purely recreational trips don’t count. The event leads up to winter bike to work day on February 14th when the city celebrates those who choose to walk, roll, bike, ride the transit, or carpool to get around. That evening the city will host a Valentine’s themed celebration at 11th Street Station at 7:00 PM where the winner of the commuter challenge will be announced. The event will feature prize drawings, free appetizers, and a silent disco. For further details and instructions on how to participate, visit the City of Durango website. Silverton’s annual Skijoring races return on February 15th and 16th with high speed action on Blair Street. Teams of horseback riders and skiers will race for 15,000 in cash prizes. Skiers navigate jumps, collect rings on a baton, and try to stay upright all while they’re pulled behind a horse at full gallop. Opening ceremonies kickoff at 11:00 AM with races at 11:15. The event runs until 4:00 PM each day, followed by post-race celebrations, Saturday at the Lacey Rose and Sunday at Golden Block Brewery. General admission is free and the event is family friendly. As one of Silverton’s biggest winter attractions, a skijoring draws crowds that boost the local economy. For safety dogs and drones are not allowed near the race course, nor stables. More information is available at silvertonskijoring.com. Learn more about these and other stories online at durangolocal.news. Thank you for watching this edition of the Local News Roundup. I’m Sadie Smith.