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Health & Fitness

Everyone's a Star at the PNC Bank Family Fun Ride at the Elmhurst Cycling Classic

On July 19th, exhilarating speed, daring strategy, and gut wrenching thrills come to Elmhurst with the inaugural Superior Ambulance Elmhurst Cycling Classic, Presented by Elmhurst Memorial Healthcare. This day of bike racing will feature several levels of competition, a PNC Bank Family Fun Ride, and culminate with an exciting Pro Level Men's and Women's race. This event is just one part of the eight day Prairie State Classic throughout the Midwest, and we here at The Runner's Soul are proud to be a part of it!

Elmhurst resident Tim Radcliff, an avid bike competitor and head of the Elmhurst Masters Cycling Competitors, otherwise known as EMC2, was one of those that were instrumental in bringing this exciting day of racing to Elmhurst. "We wanted to give back to the cycling community, and at the same time, bring something exciting to Elmhurst,” he said. Working along with Bob Hoel, the chairman of the Elmhurst Bicycle Task Force, and Alderman Kevin York, they were able to make this dream a reality.


Let your whole family experience the excitement of the day at the PNC Bank Family Fun Ride on Friday, July 19th  at 5:50pm! Kids will have the opportunity to ride the course and get cheered on by the masses of crowds! This fun ride is free when you preregister, and it happens just before the highly anticipated Pro Races. Pre-registered participants will also be entered into a raffle to win a free Garmin 800 bike “computer”, donated by PNC Bank and purchased thru The Runner's Soul!

 

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Free Registration will be open until Thursday, July 18th at PNC Bank at 565 S. York Street. Day-of registration is also available at the Wilder Park Rec Building at 175 Prospect Ave for $5 per rider. All riders must have a signed waiver and helmet in order to ride. Check-in will open at 4pm on the day of the event at the Wilder Rec Building in Wilder Park.

Racer Tim Radcliff says there's a lot more to the sport of bike racing than initially meets the eye. With speeds averaging around 27 to 30 miles per hour, sharp turns with 10 abreast can be tricky. Strategic moves like breakaways and subsequent defensive strategies such as blocking can make for a compelling competition.

Race day will also feature a VIP area at the Wilder Mansion, with festivities and food presented by Cafe Amano. Spectators can watch from anywhere around the race area, of course, but the Wilder Mansion will be right around the finish line.

Find out what's happening in Elmhurstwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

So walk the entire course in your Runner's Soul shoes to see all the action - there will be block parties around the course and plenty of spots to view different stretches of the race. But run back to Prospect for the finishing laps of each race to see the exciting sprints at more than 40 miles per hour!


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