The public will have the chance to see the preliminary recommendations for a land-use plans for Dash Point and Saltwater state parks a week from today.

The third and final workshop will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 12 at the Federal Way Regional Library, 34200 First Way S., Federal Way, according to a release from State Parks.

In the first and second workshops, department staffers gathered information and presented alternatives. Comments at those meetings covered issues such as trail management, campground improvements and the enhancement of natural resources.

Following this workshop, staff will be seeking public feedback on preliminary recommendations for each park, said Ryan Karlson, State Parks planner. Preliminary recommendations for land classifications at Dash Point State Park could result in excluding bicycle use in proposed Natural Areas located in environmentally sensitive areas of the park.

Click here for more information about the planning process is available online.

If you would like a copy of the preliminary recommendations report, contact Karlson at 360-902-8650.

Just got these stats via e-mail from Susan Cady of the Redmond Cycling Club. Thought I'd pass them along to make you feel young.

Turns out the average age of RAMROD (Ride Around Mount Rainier in One Day) cyclists this year was 47. Pretty impressive considering this is widely considered to be the most challenging of the popular cycling events in Washington. The 154-mile ride climbs more than 10,000 vertical feet. The oldest rider was 79 and the youngest was 17, Cady said. She says 40 percent of the riders are 50 or older.

Also of note is that mostly men did the ride this year: 722 men
and 134 women.

Here is the break down from Cady, who did the ride again this year. She says these stats do not account for no-shows.

A new marathon will be staged starting at next year's Seafair, Seattle officials plan to announce later this morning.

In a statement released at 8:37 a.m. by the San Diego-based Competitor Group, the organization stated the Rock 'N' Roll Marathon will be "A new signature event of Seafair."

The organization will announce the event at 11 a.m. in Seattle with 1972 Olympic marathon champ Frank Shorter on hand for the festivities. Also attending the announcement will be King County executive Ron Sims, Seafair CEO Beth Knox

According to the statement the marathon will be held on the shores of Lake Washington and will feature live bands and cheeleaders at every mile along the course.

The original Rock 'n' Roll Marathon was held in San Diego in 1998. Seattle joins Phoenix, Nashville, San Antonio, Virginia Beach, San Jose and Philadelphia as Rock 'n' Roll marathon city.

The marathons attract between 13,000 and 37,000 participants each year according to the Competitor Group's prepared statement.

The 2009 Seafair has events scheduled between June 28 and Aug. 2.