CEDAR CITY, UT – An eventful weekend in Cedar City promises to get even more exciting thanks to an added event that will bring world class athletes and competitors to southern Utah.
The Wildflower Festival at Cedar Breaks, Utah Shakespeare Festival, July Jamboree, and the new Fire Road Cycling event will take place the weekend of July 9. The inaugural race includes a “mountain bike experience for everyone,” according to a publicity poster; the race will include 25K, 60K and 100K distances.
The mountain bike race takes place mainly on improved roads and trails, or “fire roads” used for fire suppression – thus the name “Fire Road Cycling.” The inaugural event is planned as an annual mountain bike race by Multisports Events. There is a $3000 cash purse for the top 3 overall men and women competitors in the 100K event. Fire Road Cycling event will be accompanied by a 2 day expo, beer garden at the finish line, and a showing of the award winning documentary,“Klunkerz,” a film about the early days of mountain biking.
Fire Mountain Cycling organizers have been working closely with Cedar City Events Coordinator Byron Linford to bring together teams of volunteers to help the race run smoothly.
“Former professional [Ironman] competitors and experienced endurance athletes, Paul Huddle and Roch Frey, have been coming to the area, skyping, emailing, biking and meeting with community members to share the very detailed plans for the Inaugural Fire Road race,” according to Bonnie Char, Public Relations Specialist Cedar City ~ Brian Head Tourism Bureau. Char adds,
“These organizers are passionate about southern Utah and their sports. They have experience in coordinating Ironman events and bring with them a following of sport celebrities.”
Ryan Sutter, the “winner” chosen by “Bachelorette” Trista Rehn in 2003 will be competing in the 2011 Fire Road race.
Huddle’s wife, Paula Newby-Fraser will also be competing. Newby-Fraser, holds an impressive resumé of athletic accomplishments including 8 time Ironman Triathlon World Champion, 1990 Professional Sportswoman of the Year, and “Greatest All-Around Female Athlete in the World” title from Wide World of Sports and Los Angles Times, Tribune Co.
Fellow Ironman competitor, and winner of 15 Ironman titles, Heather Fuhr will also be in Cedar City for the event.
Additionally, there is a charity element involved in the event. The Fire Road Cycling 2011event is an official fundraising event for the John Wayne Cancer Foundation (JWCF)/Team DUKE. More information about fund raising for Team DUKE can be found at: http://fireroadcycling.com/fireroad/Charities.html.
Groups and volunteers are still needed to be involved in the Fire Road Cycling event. Volunteers will receive a tee shirt and free admission to “Klunkerz” showing at the Heritage Center, Friday, July 8th. Interested individuals should contact the Volunteer Center (435) 867-8384 or email Byron Linford at: [email protected]Klunkerz: A Film About Mountain Bike History