Racers took to the streets of West Chester on Saturday, August 20th for the 11th annual Iron Hill Twilight Criterium Race Series.

I had the pleasure of watching the afternoon and evening festivities from the comfort of the Gawthrop Greenwood, PC offices, near the Iron Hill finish line, where clients, family members, and community guests were offered a catered spread from John Serock Catering and beer on tap from Locust Lane Craft Brewery in Malvern.

A seven-year tradition, “Gawthrop Greenwood, PC [the oldest firm in the county] hosts this annual party to show their gratitude to clients, which include several municipalities in the region,” shared firm partners Stacey Fuller and Patrick McKenna. While Gawthrop Greenwood is a full service firm, it is known for municipal land use law cases.

After thanking them for their hospitality, I ventured out to take in the sights of the evening festivities.

As a first time visitor to the Iron Hill Twilight Race Series, I loved the non-stop entertainment. The day began with the West Chester Dental Arts Kids Race, the Tolsdorf Twilight Trike Challenge, and the Rothman Institute Amateur Criterium.

In between races, kids enjoyed inflatable activities and Kona Ice treats in the Kids Zone, families were entertained with live music, face paining and sidewalk chalk fun at the Market Street Block Party, and community members visited local vendors at the Benchmark Community Festival.

As evening approached, the event continued with the Brumbaugh Wealth Management Pro Women’s Criterium before culminating with the Iron Hill Twilight Criterium.

The racetrack featured a 0.6-mile course over eight city blocks on the streets of historic downtown West Chester, with four 90-degree turns and one short rise.

Racers zipped around town, showcasing a burst of color and speed while townies rooted riders on from the sidelines and outdoor restaurant seating.

While I am not a cyclist, I couldn’t help but appreciate the speed, stamina, and skills needed to cycle the course.

According to the USA Crits Website, “Criteriums offer spectators the opportunity to watch Olympians and world and national champions up close as they ride at top speeds for up to two hours. Criterium racing’s ability to combine the most exciting elements of popular sports with the large-scale appeal of downtown arts and music festivals has made it the most enduring form of cycling in North America and the most spectator-friendly form of cycling with an ever-growing following of fans.”

As racers approached their final laps around the track, small red, orange, white and green cowbells rang up and down the course, signaling to the racers their final lap. And the winners were…

Final Race Results:

Brumbaugh Wealth Management Pro Women’s (Pro) Criterium: Skylar Schneider took first place with 50 laps in 1:00:01 out of 35 cyclists.

Iron Hill Twilight (Pro) Criterium: Luis Amaranth took first place with 75 laps in 42:40.7 out of 105 total runners.

Tufmed Overall Leader Jersey Winners: Ryan Aitheson and Tina Pic

Cyclingnews Lap Leader Jersey Winners: Ruben Companioni Blanco and Sara Tussey

Bkereg Best Young Rider Jersey Winners: Eamon Lucas and Jessica Mundy

For complete standings, visit Road Results.