Image via WikipediaNot for motorists, but for hundreds of professional and amateur bicyclists that will descend on Main Street for the first-ever Wells Fargo Edwardsville Rotary Criterium, a pro-am bicycle race on the streets of downtown Edwardsville.
The race is part of a two-day event that is open to the public and hosted by the Rotary Club of Edwardsville. The festivities will begin on Saturday, Sept. 11 with a “Criterium Kick-Off” at Edwardsville’s City Park.
The Kick-Off will feature live music from regional favorite Dr. Zhivegas, a pasta dinner, as well as wine and beer sales.
On Sunday, Sept. 12, eight separate races for cyclists of varying skill levels will take place, beginning at 8:30 a.m. and ending at approximately 6 p.m. A “Kids Race” for children ages 3 to 14 begins at 12:15 p.m.
The kids race will be divided into four separate categories based on age.
The Rotary Club of Edwardsville is hosting the Criterium as both a fundraiser and a signature event for the City of Edwardsville and the Rotary.
Edwardsville residents SJ Morrison and Jay Blanquart are serving as race coordinators. The Edwardsville Rotary Criterium will feature a $10,000 purse, the largest one-day pay-out for a pro-am bicycle race in the Metro-East and the second largest in the entire St. Louis region.
“On behalf of the Rotary Club, I am excited to bring this event to the city of Edwardsville and the entire region,” said Blanquart, incoming Edwardsville Rotary President. “The Criterium will not only raise funds for community-enhancing projects that Rotary supports, it will also serve as a signature event for the Edwardsville area.”
The deadline to be a sponsor for the event is July 20.
Businesses, organizations and individuals who would like to be a sponsor can contact Blanquart at 799-8888 for more information. In addition to sponsors, event coordinators are seeking volunteers from the community to serve as marshals for the various races.
Individuals who are interested in volunteering can contact Morrison at 558-3062.
Details are also posted online at www.edwardsvillecriterium.com or on Facebook.
Major sponsorships have already been received from Wells Fargo Advisors, the City of Edwardsville, Lifetouch Photography, the Goddard School, Richards Brick Company, TheBANK of Edwardsville and the Metro-East Park and Recreation District.
“The tremendous support that we’ve received from the Rotary Club, the Edwardsville business owners, the city of Edwardsville and the Edwardsville Police Department has allowed us to plan a first-class event for both the community and the cyclists,” said Morrison, who serves as race director. “Professional bike races are exciting, family-friendly events that draw spectators of all ages.”
Some additional information about the race.
• What is a Criterium?
A criterium, or ‘crit’, is a bicycle race held on a short course (usually between 0.5 and 2.0 miles in length) and often run on streets in the heart of a city center.
Race length is pre-determined by time or number of laps. A criterium’s duration is shorter than that of a traditional road race and the average speed and intensity of a Criterium are appreciably higher.
The winner is the first rider to cross the finish line without having been "lapped." Criteriums also offer smaller cash prizes (called primes, pronounced "preems") for winning specific laps. Criteriums are the most common type of bicycle racing in the U.S.
• What is Rotary?
Founded in 1925, the Rotary Club of Edwardsville is a non-profit organization that is committed to “service above self.”
The Edwardsville Rotary Club has provided hundreds of thousands of dollars in support of local charities, organizations and community activities over the last 85 years.
With more than 130 members who meet weekly, the Edwardsville Rotary Club has made a significant impact on the greater Edwardsville area by constructing the first Habitat for Humanity home in Edwardsville, contributing to Anderson Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit, and supporting countless projects that benefit education, recreation, public safety and the quality of life.
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