The annual Hyattsville Cyclocross race will bring hundreds of competitive bicyclists to the area this weekend.
The 11th annual event, held on Sunday, Sept. 30, is expected to draw at least 700 bicyclists from around the East Coast to Magruder Park.
There will be 11 races throughout the day beginning at 8 a.m. Each race is a closed, one-mile course of pavement, dirt and path.
With several divisions, including men’s, women’s, junior’s and professional, the Cyclocross brings in people at all levels from surrounding states, said owner Chris Militello.
“When you have 125 bike racers on a one-mile course, it’s like Nascar, guys running into each other,” he told the Hyattsville Wire. “The course is really challenging, and with as much rain as we’ve had, it’s going to be a mud bowl.”
Militello and co-owner Chris Davidson started coaching the Prince George’s County Special Olympics cycling team almost 20 years ago. After they opened Arrow Bicycle in South Hyattsville, they created the Cyclocross to raise money for it.
To date, the Cyclocross has raised $80,000 for the Special Olympics, from a registration fee of about $45 and beer sales. The Hyattsville Cyclocross is the only day of the year that alcohol is allowed at Magruder Park.
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