Upcoming Athletic Events

Gene’s Team Tryouts Tryouts for Gene Selznick’s club volleyball teams will be held this Sunday, October 8, from noon to 2 p.m. at the Palisades High gym. Girls ages 14-17 are invited. Call 989-4809 for more information. YMCA Fitness Classes The Palisades-Malibu YMCA has added new fitness classes to its back to school schedule. From 8 a.m. to noon Monday-Friday, ‘Boot Camp/Body Works,’ ‘Cardio-Kickboxing’ and ‘Mat Pilates’ willbe offered and fitness counselors will be on hand daily in the gym. Childwatch hours have been expanded from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and free seven-day guest passes are available Call 454-5591 for more information. Santa Monica 5000 Generic Events has announced that actor Isaiah Washington, who plays Dr. Preston Burke on ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy,” will be firing the starting gun at the inaugural Saint John’s Santa Monica 5000 on Sunday, October 22. The race will feature a ‘Media Mile,’ in which several of L.A.’s prominent reporters and photographers will have an opportunity to compete against each other in a friendly one-mile competition. This scenic 5k and 10k race starts and finishes near the Santa Monica Pier and features great ocean views and a post-event party on the pier. The party will feature several live bands including L.A.-based ‘Kelly’s Lot,’ ‘New Maximum Donkey,’ ‘Seeking Zenith,’ and ‘For Pete’s Sake.’ Participants can also look forward to a pancake breakfast served by ‘Survivor’ Kim Powers, gait analysis performed by Coach Pat Connelly and activities for children including balloon animals, face painting, and a magician who works with live animals. Race funds will help Saint John’s Health Center build its replacement hospital, which will include a new Emergency Department. For more information, log on to the Web site at www.santamonica5000.com/media. Westside Challenge Tennis players of all skills levels are now being recruited to participate in the ninth-annual “Westside Challenge to Beat Breast Cancer” on Saturday, October 21, at the UCLA/Los Angeles Tennis Center. The event will feature up to 84 players in a round-robin tennis marathon, followed by a reception at the nearby Straus Clubhouse. All players receive a souvenir bag filled with various items, are eligible for prizes and invited to pre-event instructional clinics run by tennis professionals. For a player packet or more information, e-mail coordinator Rick Grant at ricgrant1@earthlink.net or call 823-0157.