The Uptown race is known as a criterium in the sport of cycling.
The uniquely urban sport of criterium racing is fast, furious, and exciting to watch, as riders race their bicycles down city streets, across intersections and around tight corners on a challenging course.
| Athens Twilight |
Athens, GA |
Saturday, April 26 |
| Beaufort Memorial Classic |
Beaufort, SC |
Tuesday, April 29 |
| Walterboro Criterium |
Walterboro, SC |
Wednesday, April 30 |
| Greenwood Criterium |
Greenwood, SC |
Thursday, May 1 |
| Steadman Hawkins Criterium |
Spartanburg, SC |
Friday, May 2 |
| Dilworth Criterium |
Charlotte, NC |
Saturday, May 3 |
| Sandy Springs Challenge |
Sandy Springs, GA |
Sunday, May 4 |
Criterium races are held on short courses (1/2 to 1 mile) allowing for up close viewing of team strategies and individual performance every minute. Professional commentating and lap award primes (pronounced “premes”) provide non-stop race action and updates for the veteran fan or the new spectator.
A purse of $10,000 will be up for grabs in Greenwood when cyclists from the United States, Canada, Mexico, Columbia, Cuba, Germany, Australia, Serbia and New Zealand compete in the 50-mile, multi-lap criterium event Thursday, May 1.
Greenwood will again host a women’s professional criterium race. The women’s race will run 40 kilometers and will start at 5:30 PM. The men’s race will start at approximately 7:00 PM.
Greenwood based Stockman Oil/Laketraining.com Elite Cycling Team will be one of the teams competing on May 1. The team is comprised of two Greenwood natives – Derek Kidd and Zac Lake.
“This will be my third year competing in the Greenwood Criterium,” said Kidd. “It’s always exciting to compete in front of my hometown.” Kidd is currently employed locally by Performance Cycle.
In criteriums, the riders maintain a speed as high as 25-35 miles per hour on aerodynamic bicycles made of a variety of different metals that cost in the thousands of dollars.
In addition, Uptown Greenwood will host children’s activities prior to the main race. Children are invited to participate in a bicycle rodeo, a safety clinic and a free helmet giveaway starting at 5:30 p.m. Children’s bicycle races will be held at 6:30 p.m. on the same course the pros will use.
Children’s activities will take place in the fountain parking lot. Helmets and other items will be given while supplies last. Children wishing to enter youth races must have a helmet and have a parent present to sign a waiver form. State Farm Insurance Agent Frank Coyle, Greenwood Safe Kids Coalition, and Wellness Works of Self Regional Healthcare, and Performance Cycle, Inc are sponsoring the children’s events.
Additional Greenwood sponsors include Capital Bank, Your 94.1, McCallum Orthodontics, Pepsi, Holiday Inn Express, Econo Lodge, Days Inn, and Extended Stay Motel.
Uptown Greenwood streets will be blocked off to traffic. Vendors will be set up along the race route, selling barbecue, hot dogs, drinks, ice cream, etc., and restaurants will be open. The race will go on as scheduled rain or shine.
For additional information, visit www.uptowngreenwood.com or call (864) 942-8448.
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