For the last 13 years, families and sports enthusiasts alike have made plans to visit West Chester for the most popular summer event of the year.

It happens again on Saturday, Aug. 11, when the Benchmark Twilight Cycling Classic takes to the downtown streets with a full slate of competitive criterium racing.

Sponsored by the Benchmark Federal Credit Union, the iconic event gives spectators a breathtaking, up-close look at top professional male and female riders as they race on a short 0.6-mile route, passing by as many as 70 times per race. The course encompasses Gay, Church, Market, and Matlack streets.

The fun and excitement begin at 3:30 PM with the West Chester Dental Arts Kids’ Race for all children between 3 and 10 years of age. At 4 PM, the My Benefit Advisor Kids’ Zone and Northwestern Mutual Community Festival open with many fun things to do and see for young and old alike.

[uam_ad id=”79359″]

Next up, 4:30 PM finds adults on big tricycles taking over Gay Street for the Tolsdorf Trike Challenge, a tag-team trike race between companies, organizations, and groups. The excitement continues to build: first, with the Rothman Institute Amateur Criterium at 5:45 PM, followed by the Brumbaugh Wealth Management Pro Women’s Criterium at 6:45 PM. The event culminates at 8 PM with the Iron Hill Pro Men’s Criterium where riders speed by at speeds of 35-plus miles per hour.

“Over the years, the Iron Hill Pro Men’s Criterium and the Brumbaugh Wealth Management Pro Women’s Criterium have become two of the East Coast’s most important dates on the pro cycling calendar,” said Mark Yoder, President of the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce, the event organizer. “Whatever your interest, whatever your age, you can count on a really exciting day of racing – and endless things to do for the whole family!”

Motorists should note that numerous road closures will be in effect from 11 AM until about 10 PM. Complete details can be found here.

[uam_ad id=”58462″]