The Hyattsville Cyclocross bike race, which helps raise money for local Special Olympics athletes, held its annual event on Sunday, Oct. 9, at Driskell Park.

Started in 2009 by co-owner of Hyattsville’s Arrow Bicycle, Chris Militello, and sponsored by its racing team, Route 1 Velo, the cyclocross bike race typically attracts hundreds of cyclists from around the East Coast and is a highly competitive event that combines elements of road, gravel and mountain biking.

Thanks to the city of Hyattsville, which helps support the event, proceeds from the bike race, including registration fees and revenue generated from selling beer on site, go towards the Prince George’s County Special Olympics. Over the years, the annual Hyattsville Cyclocross race has raised more than $85,000 for the county’s Special Olympics program.

One of the best parts of the Hyattsville cyclocross race, according to Millitello, is watching the barriers near the basketball court at Driskell Park where more experienced riders ride right over while others carry their bikes across while beer is handed out from local Streetcar 82 with Maryland Meadworks also on site.

Militello first began working with Special Olympics athletes from the area after he was recruited by former Hyattsville police chief Doug Holland, who asked him to help teach his daughter how to ride and enlist other intellectually disabled athletes in the area to join along. He now helps lead the Prince George’s County Special Olympics cycling team.

In years past, thanks to the work of Militello and co-owner of Arrow Bicycle Chris Davidson, along with Route 1 Velo, bicycle helmets were purchased and given to every Special Olympics athlete in the state of Maryland.

Militello said anyone interested in becoming a member of the Prince George’s County Special Olympics and participating its cycling team should reach out to him directly at Arrow Bicycle.

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