Sports Capsule: Ultramarathon, hike at Skyline Park Sept. 28

A unique backyard ultramarathon and hike at Napa's Skyline Wilderness Park, 2201 Imola Ave., is scheduled at 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 28. There is no registration fee.

The park opens at 7 a.m. Participants should arrive by 7:30 a.m. for announcements.

The event is inspired by the resilience of Jonathan Pascual in his ongoing fight with Stage IV cancer paraganglioma, as it celebrates life, challenges and community.

Avoid main parking lot; there will be free parking for registered participants in the Westside parking lot.

The course features a 3.3-mile loop with more than 550 feet of climbing, offering a mix of terrain from steep rocky sections to shaded paths. Runners and hikers start at the same time every hour, going clockwise on the even hours and counterclockwise on the odd hours, so it doesn't matter if you finish your loop fast or slow because everyone starts again at the same time in the next hour. Those attempting 10 loops should pace themselves for a final race on the 10th loop, making 33 miles, but you may do as many or few loops as you wish.

There will be various caloric options and drinks with water only at mile 2.3. Food and beverages will be provided, including lunch for participants and volunteers. Bring your own water bottle or hydration pack.

Medals will be awarded to all participants; trophies and wine for the top three finishers completing 10 loops; wine for the top 3 finishers of 2, 4, 6, 8 loops. Gift baskets will be raffled off.

Email Jonathan Pascual at with your name, email, and phone number to participate.

Tickets on sale for Big Game football raffle happening Oct. 4

The Vintage High Booster Club is asking student-athletes to sell 15 tickets at $20 each for one of the biggest fundraisers of the year, the Big Game car raffle, before the Napa High and Vintage football teams square off Oct. 4 at Memorial Stadium.

This year, the car is a Nissan Sentra.

Solano Challenger chance to see rising tennis stars

The Taube/Kennedy-Grossman Solano Challenger returns to Solano Community College Oct. 6-13 and could once again showcase some potential future stars.

Proof of that was spotted at the U.S. Open earlier this month in New York when Frances Tiafoe and Taylor Fritz squared off in the semifinals. Fritz advanced to the finals and lost to Jannik Sinner of Italy.

Both Tiafoe and Fritz turned pro in 2015 and one of the Challenger Tour events they competed in was the Fairfield Men's Pro Challenge (now Solano Challenger), which Fritz won that year.

Fritz, now ranked No. 7 in the world, and No. 16 Tiafoe were not the only former Solano Challenger alumni to make strong runs at the U.S. Open. Other Solano tournament alumni to make the top 16 at the U.S. Open included Casper Ruud (9), Tommy Paul (13), Jordan Thompson (29) and Brandon Nakashima (40).

Time will tell who the next group of up-and-coming stars might be, but 15 of the current top 100 in the ATP rankings played in the Fairfield tournament in the past.

"The quality of tennis is incredibly high," tournament director and Northern California Tennis Hall of Famer Phil Cello said of the annual Fairfield tournament. "You really get to see top-class players whose names will become known throughout the tennis world in years to come."

Co-director of the tournament this year is Celia Esposito-Noy, who recently retired as Superintendent and President of Solano Community College.

"Each year we see not only the up-and-comers but guys who are also later in their careers and hoping to get back on top," Esposito-Noy said. "And the lineup for this year's event promises to once again bring must-see action to the campus."

The tournament benefits the Dr. Chris Cammisa Tennis and Educational Foundation, an organization that supports the women's and men's teams at SCC and also introduces tennis and a related educational program to underserved youths in Solano County.

There are numerous opportunities to be tournament sponsors, volunteers, and for youth, to be "Ball Kids" during the matches. Click the "Get Involved" icon at solanochallenger.com or purchase tickets and sponsorship opportunities on the website. All seating is close to the courts.

'Brother Can You Spare a Dime' Giants game trip Sept. 29

For the 62nd year, the "Brother Can You Spare a Dime" Community Baseball Outings program is again taking groups of special and deserving youngsters, senior citizens, and the general public to San Francisco Giants baseball games during the 2024 season.

A group of tickets each game are donated free of charge to a local youth organization and the remaining tickets are sold to Napa seniors and local Giants fans.

Motor-coach transportation is provided for the entire group along with refreshments and entertainment on the road.

This season's remaining game will be against the St. Louis Cardinals on Sept. 29.

Casual Tennis Napa plays Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays

Connect with other tennis players –casual and just for the fun of it.

Casual Tennis Napa meets Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings, weather permitting. For the current meeting time and location, please email at

Fundraising golf tourney at Kennedy Park Oct. 5

The Patrick Drake Memorial Golf Tournament is scheduled from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 5 at Napa Golf Course at Kennedy Park.

Entry fees are $175 to $500. All proceeds are to benefit Providence Hospice of Napa. The organizers and hosts are Shelly Moe and Cheryl Drake.

Spiritleaders' Youth Cheer & Dance Clinic Oct. 18

The Napa High School Spiritleaders are hosting their annual Youth Cheer & Dance Clinic for kindergartners through seventh-graders on Friday, Oct. 18. Check-in and registration will be from 3:30 to 4 p.m. in Messner Gym.

Participants will learn age appropriate routines and perform at the halftime of the junior varsity football game against Redwood of Larkspur. Parents and families are welcome to observe the entire clinic for free in the gym as well as get free admission to the junior varsity halftime show. The clinic concludes after the halftime show at approximately 5:30 p.m.

In case of rain, the clinic will remain in the gym and performances will be showcased there.

Cost of registration is $45 and can be paid on the Napa Spiritleaders' website at napahigh.nvusd.org/programs/spiritleaders .

Participants should wear Napa High-colored shorts or leggings and a T-shirt. Youth Clinic T-shirts will also be available for purchase at the event.

For additional questions, email Director Hollie Johnson at .