Here's a brief study guide for some real tests available this fall.

Wrestling with schedules

Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation brochures will be out this month, department athletics specialist Mike Troutman said. Registration opens soon after that for basketball. And, if enough interest develops, a youth wrestling program could be on the way to Culbreth Middle School's gym.

"Cieran Harris will be working on that with us," Troutman explained. "That will probably be an after-school program starting this fall -- maybe in the cafeteria -- but we're still working on the dates."

Youth football practices have already begun, but Troutman said Chapel Hill ( www.chapelhillparks.org) may still accept late registrations, depending on numbers. "We may have some coaching opportunities there as well."

Lessons

Carrboro Recreation and Park's fall brochure also will be out soon, but information on some fall programs is available now at www.townofcarrboro.org.

Recreation supervisor Charles Harrington noted Carrboro isn't quite done with summer.

"We're still looking for people to register for NFL Punt, Pass, & Kick youth football skills competition (in September) and our Adult Ultimate Frisbee Fall League," he said. "We also have Adult Open-Play Volleyball (pickup games) in September at Culbreth."

Like Chapel Hill, Carrboro still has some need for assistant coaches in youth football as well as baseball umpires and basketball officials. Those interested in coaching youth basketball this coming fall and winter, volunteer forms need to be returned by Friday.

"Those interested should contact me," Harrington said. "Experience is preferred, but it's not required; we provide training."

Harrington also noted that Carrboro youth basketball registration begins online and in-person at the Carrboro Century Center on Wednesday, Sept. 1 for Carrboro residents. And then Sept. 2 for others. Sign-up has begun for C.L.A.S.S. (Children Learning Athletic Sports Skills) Soccer, for ages 4-6, and volleyball lessons for ages 10-13.

A new baseball pitching class is being offered, featuring former UNC-Greensboro pitcher and Minor Leaguer Pat Currin, who will lead instruction on the fundamentals of pitching for boys aged 9-12.

Net proceeds

The Hispanic Tennis Carnival, a cooperative venture of Carrboro Recreation and Parks and the Durham / Orange Community Tennis Association ( www.docta.org) will be 4-6 p.m. on Oct. 10 on the tennis courts at Wilson Park in Carrboro. The event targets Hispanic youths aged 5 and older, but entire families are welcome. Free follow-up lessons will be offered on the following three Sundays.

"We are also doing another QuickStart league this fall for 6-8 year-olds and 9-10 year-olds," DOCTA Community Tennis Coordinator and Program Coordinator Patti Fox said. "It is set to begin also on Oct. 10, and it will last for six weeks with matches on Sundays."

For those looking to "chill out" over the next few months, the Triangle SportsPlex in Hillsborough has numerous options for skaters, including sign-ups for the Triangle Area Hockey League. For more information on programs and classes, visit their website at trianglesportsplex.com.

On the road again

Running and multisports take up the most sports on the upcoming calendar.

The family-friendly Triangle SportsPlex Super Sprint Triathlon is scheduled for Aug. 21, at the SportsPlex in Hillsborough. The 400-yard swim has ample spectator seating, the 12-mile bike is rolling and fast, and the run is on a 5K two-loop course. For more information, visit the Set-up Events website link at: www.sportoften.com/events.

The autumn running season begins with the second annual Run for Water 6K at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 19 on the UNC campus. For more information, visit the organization's website ( studentorgs.unc.edu/ewb/).

The 3rd annual Cleft Palate Gallop 5K run/walk is scheduled for 9 a.m. Sept. 25. The event is organized by the UNC School of Dentistry with profits donated to help cover cleft lip or cleft palate treatment for children. For more information, visit www.cleftpalategallop.com.

Also on Sept. 25, the Bands on the Run 5K in Hillsborough benefits the Orange County Schools. For more information, visit www.cedarridgeband.org/.

The Cardinal Track Club's annual Carrboro 10K on Oct. 2 marks the second event in the 2010 Tour de Carrboro series. Young runners will have another opportunity to run in the Carrboro Kids Classic held after the conclusion of the 10K.

The registration is already closed for the Oct. 10 Ramblin' Rose Chapel Hill (250-yard swim, nine-mile bike, two-mile run) at the UNC Wellness Center in the Meadowmont Development where the Ramblin' Rose women's triathlon series started in 2006. For wait-list information or information on charity slots, see www.ramblinroseevents.com/.

The second annual Heels 4 Hope 5K road race will be held on Oct. 17 at 9 a.m., benefiting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital's fight against cancer, Push America and the Arc of Orange County. For more information, visit the event website at www.heels4hope.com.

The Chapel Hill / Carrboro Public School Foundation's Race for Education 5K will be held on Saturday, Oct. 23. For more information, visit the "Event" link on the Public School Foundation website: www2.chccs.k12.nc.us/.

The 2010 Cree Habitat Halloween Bike Ride from Durham will be held on Saturday, Oct. 30. The seventh-annual Halloween Bike Ride benefits Habitat for Humanity of Durham, offering rides of 18, 31, 62, and 100 miles starting and finishing at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. More information is available at www.durhamhabitat.org.

The beloved Pumpkin Trail Run will be held on the afternoon of Saturday, Oct. 30. The Pumpkin Run is a 4K (2.5-mile) race along a Carolina North Forest trail just north of Horace Williams Airport in Chapel Hill. Registration information will be finalized soon--look for details on the Fleet Feet Carrboro website at www.fleetfeetcarrboro.com.

The Eve Carson Memorial 5K will be run on Nov. 20 at 9 a.m. The 5K race honoring the legacy of Eve Marie Carson, the late UNC student body president, raised over $27,000 for the Eve Carson Memorial Scholarship in 2009, and over 2,300 people registered for the event. More information is available on the registration website: www.sportoften.com/events.

Guilt-free feasting on Thanksgiving will logically follow the annual Holiday event that is the "Double B" Gallop and Gorge 8K run from the Fleet Feet Carrboro Store at 8 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 25. Hosted by the Cardinal Track Club in honor of a club co-founder Bobby "Double-B" Biles, the event marks the last of three events in the club's annual Tour de Carrboro series.

For kids (mostly)

Registration will end on Friday, Sept. 10 at 5 p.m. for the Girls on the Run of the Triangle fall programs, which begin on Sept. 20. Registration is online only through their website at www.gotrtriangle.org. If the training location you are interested in is full, you may register for the waiting list through www.SportOften.com. Registrants will see the "waitlist option" below the locations on the registration page.

Over the past few years, the number of GOTR programs in Chapel Hill and Carrboro has tripled, with programs now at the Chapel Hill / Carrboro YMCA and the Glenwood, Carrboro, Morris Grove, Rashkis, and Scroggs Elementary Schools. See the www.gotrtriangle.org website for details or call their office at (919) 401-6307.

Fleet Feet Carrboro is again sponsoring its Mini-milers Youth Running Program this fall, created to provide an opportunity for children to develop the knowledge and skills to run. For information updates, visit the "Training" link through the fleetfeetcarrboro.com website.

The Chapel Hill / Carrboro Pacers Youth Running Club will start its fall cross-country program on Tuesday, Sept. 7. The fall program will be led by Meredith Bolon (619-4565 or www.ccpacers.org and numerous familiar names and longtime volunteers.

The Pacers fall program offers running for boys and girls aged 7-18 with an emphasis on participation and fun. Tuesday and Thursday one-hour practices will begin at 4:30 p.m. Registration will be at a specified date and time to be announced later this month.

Chapel Hill / Carrboro YMCA (442-9622, www.chcymca.org) sports director Mike Meyen said there was still time to register youths for their popular fall soccer programs before Aug. 16's deadline. Play starts Sept. 11 and runs through Nov. 6.

Registration for winter youth basketball leagues will likely begin in September, with play beginning around the second Saturday of January 2011, he noted.