Ready for another summer of mountain bike racing and trail runs? The 2012 Off-Road Racing League gets started next week with two events: the Kick-Off Party on Tuesday, June 26 featuring local runner and author Amy Marxkors and then the first Alpine Shop Dirt Crits of the summer on Thursday, June 28 at Castlewood State Park.
The Kick-Off
The Kick-Off Party will be held at Alpine Shop Kirkwood. We’ll be joined by Marxkors, local author of The Lola Papers, for a night filled with wine, beers, snacks and stories about everything from racing to running and everything that comes in between. Click here for more information!
On Thursday, the first night of mountain bike racing in the Alpine Shop Dirt Crits begin at Castlewood. This popular series will have a few new twists and turns this year as the course moves to the back of the park for better parking and less interference with park traffic. If you’ve never participated before, racers of all abilities are invited to come out and join the fun starting on June 28 and every Thursday evening during July. Racers choose their own division based on their ability: A- Expert, B-Sport and C-Novice/beginner. This year, there will also be a separate Kids’ division, as well.
Each division (except for Kids’) races the same course, a relatively flat loop, approximately one mile depending on the layout with limited technical sections.
These mountain bike races get their name from the criterium “time plus laps” format for each race. “A” racers ride the course for 35 minutes plus 2 laps, “B” racers ride for 25 plus 2 laps and “C” racers ride for 15 minutes plus 2 laps. Stick around after the races for prizes and give-a-ways from all of our sponsors. Everyone who competes earns entries into drawings and those who place in the top 10 collect points for the Alpine Shop Dirt Crit Championship.
Short Track Race Info:
Race Dates: Thursdays, June 28, July 5, July 12, July 19 & July 26
Check-in begins at 5:30 pm each Thursday evening at the start/finish line. Click here to register. Mountain bikes are recommended for all racers. Helmets are required. All racers must provide their own bikes.
“A” Race = Category 1 Racers and Experts- 6 pm: 35 minutes + 1 lap
“B” Race = Category 2 Racers and Sport- 6:45 pm: 25 minutes + 1 lap
“C” Race = Category 3 Racers, Beginners- 7:15 pm: 15 minutes + 1 lap
Kids Races (all kids)- 7:40 pm: 3 laps on shorter course
Short Track Race fees:
$25 for first race, $15 for successive races. Keep your same number all race series. Register here. $5 fee for race day registration. Registration fee includes required USA Cycling one-day license fee.
Short Track Prizes:
Awards are given for top 3 finishers in the A Race and in the Women’s Open in the B Race.
Cash for A Race: 1st – $25, 2nd – $15, 3rd – $5.
Cash for Women’s Open: 1st – $25, 2nd – $15, 3rd – $5
All other divisions will be awarded prizes through raffle drawings.
Note:
In a change from past years, there is no alcohol allowed past the the train trestle bridge in the park. This is a state park rule.
What About the Trail Run Series?
The Off-Road Racing League Trail Run Series begins on Thursday, August 2 and will run for all five weeks of August. In these races, all levels leave at the same time and all ages and abilities are welcome, even if you haven’t run in a long, long time.
Complete information on the Trail Run Series, including registration, can be found here.
We look forward to seeing you on the trails this summer!
discrepancy in A race time of 45 or 35 min? Paragraph description reads 45 plus two and in details it reads 35 plus two… which is it?
Should be 35. 45 was last year. Thanks for the catch.