Road Rage competition comes to MPH

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by News 5 Sports

Story Created: Jul 2, 2012 at 12:00 PM CDT

Story Updated: Jul 2, 2012 at 12:17 PM CDT

Saturday marked the start of the Tour de France and the running of another cycling event much closer to home. It's not the speed or propulsion system most are used to when it comes to races held at Motorsport Park Hastings. But it didn't stop the Hastings Family YMCA and MPH from coming together to put on a very unique event.

"This is an eight hour cycling race. More or less it's a quirky idea we came up with in the middle of the night and said what if we had and endurance race, but kept it in a safe confinement of the race track. So we came up with this idea," said YMCA Health and Wellness Director Anne Hessler.

While the inaugural event only drew six teams and one lone racer, the competitors involved have come from near and far to compete in the race: Columbus, New York and even as far away as Alaska.

"I'm doing a cross country road trip from Alaska. I actually started off in Atlanta and went to Connecticut and now I'm in Nebraska heading back up to Alaska and somehow my aunt talked me into to doing an eight hour bike race so I'm out here to support the family and have a good time," said Ken Sprague.

Support a common theme around the track.

Team members cheered on each other while event staff went with the Christopher Walken approach to support.

That's right, folks, more cow bell. And, as always with any race at MPH, George Anderson was there spreading his enthusiasm.

But really the race is all about camaraderie and staying close with friends and family.

"It's really nice," said Tyler and Sonya Rekart. "He's the youngest one out here. So it's really nice to spend time with the kids."

Even one of our very own, Colin Murphy, tried to conquer the curves of MPH and well I think the curves won:

"Worn out. Why aren't you out here, Ed?"

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