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Cyclists from the Mid South who are interested in taking part in this year’s Arkansas Ride for the Cure will be able to complete early registration for the April 10 recreational ride through Friday, March 26.
This marks the second year for the Arkansas Ride for the Cure, a fund-raiser that benefits the Arkansas Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. It is only the third such bike ride in the country and again will be held in conjunction with the HMG Health & Fitness Expo on the campus of Arkansas State University. (Others are in Aspen and Nashville.)
More than 200 cyclists are expected to participate. Some will choose a 10-mile course, others, a 20-mile course and still others, the full 50 miles. The ride will get under way at 9:30 on Saturday, April 10, on Alumni Boulevard just north of the Blue Entrance to the ASU Convocation Center.
Proceeds will provide funds for education screening and treatment programs for breast cancer.
“The 2010 Ride for the Cure is bigger and better … and it’s for such a worthy cause. The differing course lengths make it ideal for either the casual or family rider as well as the adid rider,” points out Susan Greenwood, a co-chair of the ride who serves as vice president for quality, safety and risk management at St. Bernards.
“New to this year’s ride is a children’s parade to kick off the event, a Sharpie station so riders can indicate on their arms or legs whether they are riding in memory or in honor of a friend of loved one, and a partnership with downtown Jonesboro to kick off the event Friday evening,” she continued.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a fully supported ride through scenic Crowley’s Ridge while raising funds for breast cancer awareness for the residents of Northeast Arkansas,” says Andy Shatley, the other co-chair. “I’d like to encourage all bike riders to participate. Even non-riders can donate by registering as spirit riders to support the cause.”
The ride was established as a part of the 2009 HMG Health & Fitness Expo and was the idea of
Shatley, physical therapist and former professional athlete who serves as director of the St. Bernards Sports Medicine program. He was looking for a fun way Sports Medicine could engage area athletes and give back to the community at the same time. And having the event lend support to the Arkansas Affiliate, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, was a natural fit because of the commitment that St. Bernards has to early diagnosis of breast cancer followed by the latest in breast cancer treatment and the strong relationship St. Bernards enjoys with the Arkansas Komen Affiliate. His mother, Dianna Payne Shatley, a two-time breast cancer survivor, served as the ride honoree of the inaugural race.
The 2010 ride honoree will be Vicky Perry Walden of Paragould.
Riders will have a police escort out of town. Both the 10- and 20-mile rides are beginner friendly with SAG support and rest stops along the way. The 50-mile loop will have two additional rest stops. All courses will be well-marked and supported throughout the ride.
Each participant pre-registered by March 26 will be guaranteed an Arkansas Ride for the Cure T-Shirt and goody bag. Registration on or before that date is $35 for the 10-, 20- and 30-mile course. Custom ride jerseys are available for an additional $65 at the time of registration.
Fee for those who register after March 26 will be $45 for the 10,- 20- and 50-mile course. Those riders may order a jersey at the ride.
Even persons who are unable to attend can register as “spirit” riders for $20, with those registering by March 26 also being guaranteed T-shirts.
The pre-ride kick off is planned for inside the Convocation Center, Blue Entrance, from 6 to 8 p.m. April 9. Riders may register and pick up their packets there. Check-in and packet pickup will begin at 7 a.m. April 10 at the Blue Entrance of the Convocation Center. Breakfast will be served.
The ride will begin promptly at 9:30, and helmets will be required for all riders.
In addition to T-shirts, ride jerseys will be available on a limited basis. A request for a jersey must be listed on the rider’s registration, along with a designation of shirt size.
Registration information is available at http://arkansasrideforthecure.racesonline.com, along with ride maps and directions to the ASU Convocation Center.
2010 ride sponsors include St. Bernards Healthcare, Healthcare Medical Group (HMG), St Bernards Sports Medicine and Gearhead Outfitters.