GALION — Criterium races are coming to Galion.
Cycling Sports Center LLC will host the city’s first annual Critfest Saturday, June 11 from 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. The day of races, co-owner Troy Chipka explained, is based on criterium (crit) events.
“Criterium are road races where you do fast races for short periods of time,” Chipka said.
According to USA Cycling, crit racing is the most common race in the country.
“(It is) a multi-lap race of 25 to 60 miles held on a closed course generally a mile or less in length.”
The high-speed races usually last for one or two hours. There will be nine races throughout the day for all people.
The day kicks off at 8 a.m. with a 5K run. Runners can choose either to run the 5K course or the 10K course, which meanders through Galion’s uptown historical district and surrounding neighborhoods.
At 11 a.m., the roads will be closed with controlled traffic and the bicycle races for children 15 years and younger.
The city’s roads will close down starting at noon for the kick-off of the USA Cycling sanction races. Those races will run through 6 p.m. with different age groups, ages 6 through 14, and various categories.
The women’s professional and semi-professional race will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Chipka said professional races are exciting to watch and in this case spectators can watch for free.
“The people racing are very fast and entertaining to watch. Some of them take corners up to 40 miles per hour,” Chipka said. “It’s kind of like watching NASCAR only on local streets. It’s definitely fun to watch.”
The professional races will start on the square and shoot through Harding Way to loop through southern streets. Chipka said there will be an announcer so spectators can stay abreast of the race’s happenings.
Cycling Center LLC’s mission in hosting the event is to attract people to local shops and spread their love for cycling to residents, Chipka noted. They hope to make the event an annual festival. Organizers hope to spread their love for cycling to Galion and surrounding communities.
“We go out every Wednesday night at six to have a group ride — we go out and have fun,” Chipka said. “We’re trying to promote cycling in the community because we want to make it cycling friendly.”
Chipka, if he is not volunteering, hopes to jump on his bike to race in a category two race. He has competed in nearly 100 races.
The event is sponsored by Hempy Water, General Nutrition Center and other big-name brands. The first 200 registrants will receive a t-shirt and a gift bag. For prices and instructions on registration, visit Critfest’s website or call 419-462-2453.
Event organizers are working with businesses located within the course to ensure customers have access during the event. The registration area will be set up in the Time Warner Cable parking lot and races will begin and end to the east of the Public Square.
Participants and spectators will be encouraged to visit Uptowne restaurants for food and drink needs. Merchandise vendors (no food) will be set up on Market Street.
