|
BY DENA ROSENBERRY
THE GAZETTE
Attention cyclists: Start putting some miles in the saddle now, because there’s a new ride in town and it’s only six weeks away.
The inaugural Pedaling for St. Pat’s 50K Bike Ride, produced by the folks at the Colorado Springs Grand Prix of Running, will precede the annual 5K on St. Patrick’s Day run and kids fun run on March 17, and will culminate with a pedal along the St. Patrick’s Day Parade route through downtown Colorado Springs.
Air Force Football Coach Troy Calhoun is grand marshal of this year’s parade, highlighting three days of fun and fitness. A Sports Expo focused on runners and cyclists will be held March 15 and 16 at the Antler’s Hilton downtown.
“We thought we’d take advantage of what’s typically good weather and get riders out for a long ride,” said organizer and Parade Chairman John O’Donnell. “This ride is early in the season, and people can use it to kick off their string of longer rides.”
Check out these photos from last year's 5K if you have any doubt the kind of fun you're in for!
The course, which O’Donnell described as a “wee bit longer” than 50K, will take cyclists from America the Beautiful Park through Old Colorado City along the Midland Trail to the west entrance of Garden of the Gods by Balanced Rock. After a ride through part of the park cyclists will follow 30th Street and Centennial Boulevard along the western foothills, then drop down Woodmen Road and ride through Rockrimmon and by the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs before taking a mix of trails and roads to Memorial Park for a loop around Prospect Lake.
The 31.7-mile ride ((31.7 miles on March 17 - get it?), will end near Colorado College where interested cyclists will form a group and cruise as a unit in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade at about 12:30 p.m. Registered riders will receive a cap and a bib, which must be produced to join the parade route.
“You really get to see a lot of the city along the route,” O’Donnell said, “At the top of Woodmen the whole city is laid out in front of you. It’s quite a sight.”
O’Donnell is hoping to attract at least 200 cyclists in the ride’s first year. The St. Patrick’s Day 5K, now in its 28th year, started with a few hundred runners and now attracts a few thousand. Colorado Runner magazine named it the best 5K in the state.
The kids Leprechaun Fun Run started with a few dozen runners and now attracts about 500. Last year it raised $1,500 for the upkeep of the Uncle Wilber Fountain in Acacia Park.
Organizers hope to attract at least 30 sports groups and gear makers, energy food and drink companies, dietitians, trainers and others who work with athletes to the inaugural Sports Expo. All runners and cyclists will pick up their race packets at the expo and can stop by a small beer and soda garden to socialize.
Pedaling for St. Pat’s 50K Bike Ride
What: 50K (31.7-mile) bike ride
When: March 17 at 8:30 a.m.
Where: From America the Beautiful Park through Garden of the Gods and looping through Woodmen and Rockrimmon neighborhoods before circling Prospect Lake and Memorial Park and ending at Colorado College.
Registration: wwwcsstpats.com ($25)
5K for St. Patrick's Day
What: 5K foot face
When: March 17 at 10 a.m.
Where: Acacia Park, start and finish
Registration: www.csgrandprix.com ($26)
Leprechaun Fun Run
What: Kids run for ages 10 and younger; course “as long as a rainbow”; proceeds benefit the Uncle “O” Wilber Fountain in Acacia Park
When: March 17 at 11 a.m.
Where: Acacia Park
Registration: www.csgrandprix.com ($10)
Sports Expo
What: Event geared toward runners and cyclists; also race and run packet pick-up spot
When: March 15 and 16 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: Antlers Hilton
Registration: www.csgrandprix.com
Info on the runs, ride and expo: www.csgrandprix.com or Carol at 635-8803.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
When: March 17 at noon
Where: Downtown Colorado Springs
Info: www.csstpats.com or by calling 635-8803.
|
