Greenville, S.C. - With one month until the nation's top professional athletes vie for the prestigious U.S. national cycling championships, a solid roster of 25 local and national businesses have committed to support this prestigious event. Organizers expect over 60,000 spectators for the Greenville Hospital System USA Cycling Professional Championships, now in its fourth year in Greenville, S.C., which will take place August 29-30, 2009.
Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center (GHS), one of the largest not-for-profit healthcare providers in South Carolina, returns for a fourth year in partnership, third year as title sponsor, for the championship weekend. Both the City of Greenville and County of Greenville return as official event hosts, providing valuable public safety support that is vital to all spectators and competitors. One of the new sponsors for 2009 is Duke Energy, which joins as the event's presenting sponsor of the Individual Time Trial Championships held at CU-ICAR.
"Obviously, we are grateful for the continued public and private support of the Greenville Hospital System USA Cycling Professional Championships, especially during these challenging economic times," noted Chris Aronhalt, managing partner of Medalist Sports, which produces the event on behalf of USA Cycling, Inc. "The Championships are a perfect fit to the Greenville community in many ways - a world-class cycling event which brings national attention to Greenville, promotes health & wellness activities, and, at the same time, raises significant fundraising dollars for the local cancer community."
Having commitments from 25 sponsors with a month to go to the 2009 GHS USA Cycling Professional Championships allows organizers to get a head start on activation programs. In addition to providing product and services for the Championships, Medalist Sports encourages all corporate and community partners to support the P3 charitable events and to get involved with volunteerism.
Nearly 400 volunteers are put into action each summer for this event, now in its fourth year in Greenville, S.C. Volunteers typically come from the Southeast, and some come from as far away as California for the weekend event. For many cycling fans, it is the best way to watch the event, and score an official T-shirt and complimentary Subway lunch at the same time. Others find it matter of community pride to help the city host an event that receives a national spotlight for the region, such as local RoundTowners, Hands on Greenville, Greenville Hospital System and Greenville Spinners Bicycle Club.
"We've come to consider the USA Cycling Professional Championships our signature event in Greenville, and we are just as excited to be a part of this today as we were four years ago," added Jim Bourey, City Manager of Greenville.
On Saturday, Aug. 29, the 20.7-mile Professional Individual Time Trial Championship will return to the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR). On Sunday, Aug. 30, the 110-mile Professional Road Race Championship will be contested, utilizing a start/finish location in the West End section of downtown Greenville and challenging athletes with four climbs over Paris Mountain on the north side of Greenville County. Both courses will also host new races for the U.S. Handcycling Series, presented by the Paralyzed Veterans of America, giving these elite athletes a final tune-up for the world championships in Europe in September.
2009 marks the fourth year of the Stars and Stripes Challenge and a partnership with the Palmetto Peloton Project (P3). Last year a record $110,000 was presented for cancer research by P3 with Stars and Stripes Challenge events. In the three years that the P3 organization has partnered with the Championships, it has raised over $400,000. Recreational cyclists, with advance registration, again can challenge themselves to the same road race course as the pros, including the Paris Mountain climb, or enjoy a six-mile Family Fun Ride. Funds this year will be distributed to GHS' Oncology Research Institute, the Lance Armstrong Foundation and Activate Upstate. Event details and registration can be found at www.p3ride.org.
This summer will commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Professional Road Race Championship. After 21 years in Philadelphia, Pa., the Professional Road Race Championship moved to Greenville in 2006. That same year the Professional Individual Time Trial Championship was added to the schedule. USA Cycling, Inc., which sanctions the event, extended a three-year licensing agreement for 2009 to keep the dual championship in Greenville. Strong corporate and community support are key factors in keeping this event in the Southeast.
2009 Sponsors:
- AT&T
- AVF Creations, official web services and technology provider
- AVIS/Budget, official rental car agency
- Budweiser of Greenville and Michelob Ultra, official beer products
- City of Greenville, host sponsor
- County of Greenville, host sponsor
- COSTCO Greenville, providing food and beverage supplies for volunteers and P3 charitable events
- CU-ICAR, official host of the Individual Time Trial Championships
- DUKE ENERGY, presenting sponsor
- Entercom Radio, official media partner (B93.7, WORD, Rock 101, and The Planet)
- GO Magazine, official media partner
- GREENVILLE HOSPITAL SYSTEM, Title Sponsor
- Greenville News, official media partner
- Hincapie Sportswear, official cycling merchandise vendor
- Hilton Greenville, official hotel
- Icelandic Glacial, official water
- Jani-King, official commercial cleaning services
- Level 42 Vodka, providing spirits for hospitality functions
- MAVIC, providing neutral support services to both events
- Rosen Associates Development
- Sutter Home, providing wine for hospitality venues
- Universal Sports Television, official media partner (recap show Sept. 12 at 4:00 p.m. EST)
- Wachovia, official banking services
- WYFF-4, official media partner (recap show Sept. 5 at 1:30 p.m. EST)
- Yakima, official roof rack/bike rack equipment
Schedule of Events
Saturday, August 29, 2009
- 11:00 a.m. - USA Cycling Professional Individual Time Trial Championship
- Tbd - Time Trial for US Handcycling Series, presented by Paralyzed Veterans of America
- Start/Finish - Millenium Dr. at CU/ICAR Greenville, S.C. 29607
- Cost - free for all spectators watching both Time Trials
- 7:30 a.m.- Stars and Stripes Challenge Bicycle Ride
- Start/Finish - S Main & Camperdown streets in downtown Greenville, S.C.29601
- Cost - $50 adults advance registration for Stars and Stripes Bicycle Ride
- 10:00 a.m.- Stars and Stripes Challenge Family Ride
- Location - Falls Park
- Cost - Free for all families
- 1:00 p.m.- USA Cycling Professional Road Race Championship
- Tbd - Criterium for US Handcycling Series, presented by Paralyzed Veterans of America
- Start/Finish - Main & Camperdown streets in downtown Greenville, S.C.29601
- Cost - Free for all spectators watching Road Race
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