The beginning to the 2017 high school cross country season just got a publicity boost, as the Colorado Springs Sports Corporation, in conjunction with KOM Sports Marketing, will introduce a Community Mile race as part of the day of racing for the Colorado Classic professional cycling race.
The Colorado Classic, schedule for August 10-13, 2017, is the new incarnation of the USA Pro Challenge professional cycling race that ran from 2011-15. The four-day stage race starts in Colorado Springs, August 10 with world-class women's and men's fields competing on a circuit course that routes from downtown through Garden and Gods and back.
The women start at 10 am and finish around 11:45 am. The men will start at 1:15 and finish around 4:30. In between the races, a men's and women's open "street mile" and a high school/middle school girls' and boys' race will take place. The events will be chip timed.
For the high school divisions, the top 3 teams will receive awards, as will the top 20 individuals. Registration for individuals is $15. High school teams will be afforded a special rate of $100 for 20 runners or $10 for individual not on a team.
"It is a real cool concept that will give high school runners a great platform to compete in front of thousands of spectators in a fun atmosphere," said Chuck Schwartz, the head coach at Air Academy High School, whose teams finished second (girls) and third (boys) in the 2016 4A state cross country championships.
"It will be a great way to jump-start the season without the stress of a 5K cross country race. I'm hoping many of the high school programs within driving distance will make the trip down." The bonus for runners will be watching world-class athletes compete before and after they race.
KOM Sports Marketing is working at tapping into world-class and top club runners on the Front Range for the race.
"We've worked with both the Colorado Sports Corporation and the Colorado Classic executives to create something different with cross-over appeal for the community," said Steve Brunner, President of KOM Sports Marketing.
"Cody Hill, the director of operations at KOM Sports (and former manager at Boulder Running Company in Colorado Springs) has done an excellent job at assembling the components of a top street mile. We're excited for Colorado Springs and for the running community that will be able to enjoy this unique opportunity to run in front of 15,000 to 20,000 spectators. For high schoolers this will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be showcased with a world-class event."
In addition, a 12-and-under 600-meter kids race will take place after the completion of Lap 1 of 6 of the men's race. The awards for the all races will take place after the start of the men's race in the Colorado Classic Festival near the finish line. An expected 5,000 spectators or more are expected to see the awards. The mile race will finish under the finish truss that the cyclists will race under.
The Colorado Classic will feature 18 world-class men's and 12 elite women's cycling teams. Some of the men would've competed in the Tour de France in July. The event routes through Colorado Springs, Breckenridge with two days in Denver's RiNO District.
For more information go to: www.coloradoclassic.com.
QUICK FACTS COLORADO SPRINGS COMMUNITY MILE (as part of Colorado Classic)
Date: August 10, 2017
Time: 12:15 pm (men's and women's open) 12:25 pm (boys and girls high school division and middle school runners)
Distance: 1 mile
Start: Cascade and Pikes Peak (downtown Colorado Springs)
Finish: Tejon and Pikes Peak
Registration: See registration page
Registrants receive: T-shirt and other goodies
Entry Fee: $15 for individuals; $100 per high school team (up to 20 runners) or $10 if not on a team.
Awards: Top 3 individuals for Men's and Women's Open; Men's and Women's Master (40+); Top 3 team HS and Top 20 individual HS
What makes it special: Ability to run in front of 15,000 to 20,000 spectators; awards as part of world-class festival; watch world-class cyclists.