The Superior Ambulance Service Elmhurst Cycling Classic and the Elmhurst Twilight Mile return to the streets around Elmhurst University and Wilder Park on Saturday, June 6. Spectators can watch elite racers from all over the United States compete on the roads around Elmhurst University.
The day is much more than a series of bike races. Elmhurst streets and Wilder Park come alive as spectators enjoy the free show put on by the athletes. There is also music, a community and family fun ride and the Wilder Mansion Beer Garden. Residents along the course host parties and get a front row seat to elite racers zooming by at over 30 miles per hour. There is also a Twilight Mile run open to the public, and there are two heats for elite milers.
Bike racers from across the country will make the trip to Elmhurst to compete on our fast, technical course around Elmhurst University. Many elite racers will chase significant prize money as well as points in the Midwest Cup Road Series – a series of race weekends that includes Warsaw, Indiana, Kankakee, Illinois, Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Elmhurst.
The Elmhurst Twilight Mile will feature three distinct heats in the 1-mile run: Open (5-13 minutes), Elite Women (under 6 minutes) and Elite Men (under 5 minutes). Top runners will be chasing prize money, while some will run for fun and to support charities. The course record for men is 4 minutes, 11 seconds. The course record for women is 4 minutes, 51 seconds.
Spectators can catch the cycling action all day long, but the fastest racing will start at around 2 p.m. The Pro Elite Women race is scheduled to start at 3:50 p.m., and the Pro Elite Men race will begin at approximately 6 p.m. People all around the course will enjoy the free high-speed action. The epicenter of the day is at the Wilder Mansion and the start/finish line. Elite bike racers will be zooming by approximately every two minutes.
The Elmhurst Park District Community and Family Fun Ride will start at 5 p.m. The Fun Ride is also free, and registration is at Courts Plus prior to June 6. This year the Illinois Wheelmen will lead the ride on old “High Wheel” bikes as part of the America 250 celebration.
More information about the day can be found at www.elmbike.com. Runners can get information and register at www.elmmile.com.
