GLOUCESTER TWP. – Mountains? Who needs mountains for a mountain bike race? Especially in South Jersey?
So says George Sokorai, a Wenonah resident and the man behind The Challenger, a four-race event that weaves its way through wooded trails on the campus of Camden County College.
“Cycling gives you a sense of freedom,” said Sokorai, who says he rides six days and 80 miles during a typical training week. “As a kid, that’s really that first time you experience that is on a bike.
“It’s also a sport that entire families can enjoy together. We’ve hoping this is the first of many events here at Camden County College.”
Sokorai is expecting 400-450 riders, ranging in age from 7 to 65, to be at the starting line on Saturday. Races begin at 8:30 and run through early afternoon with different categories and age groups.
There are four different categories of racing for riders. The course travels a 7.5-mile loop through the wooded trails with an elevation of 500 feet at the peak.
Category 1 (Professional/Elite, 8:30 a.m. start time) will complete three laps, Category 2 (Intermediate/Sport, 10:30 a.m.) will ride for two laps and Category 3 (Beginner, noon) will travel over one lap. A Category 4 (Novice, first-timers, 1:30 p.m.) will run on a separate 5-mile course, which is less demanding.
Riders can pre-register for the race online (until Thursday at 8 p.m.) for fees ranging from $20-$35 depending on category and age group. Fees go up $10 on race day.
Read the full article at courierpostonline.com
