Chicago Women’s Elite Cycling is pleased to announce the second annual Women’s Midwest Road Race Championship (WMRRC), which will take place on Sunday, August 21, 2016, in Leland, Illinois.
The Women’s Midwest Road Race Championship is a race run by women, uniting us across the Midwest and showcasing our strength in numbers. Originally created by Lady Gnar Shredders of Columbus, Ohio, the inaugural race was held on July, 2015, and featured 11 categories including beginners, masters, and juniors races, as well as payouts of up to $3,000 for the Pro 1/2/3 field. A total of 97 racers pre-registered, representing 28 teams from across the Midwest.
The WMRRC is designed to be passed to a different Midwest city each year, continuing its mission of building community and uniting women across the region. This summer, the race will be hosted by Chicago Women’s Elite Cycling (CWEC)—a non-profit organization designed to support and develop top-level female cyclists in the Chicagoland area.
The Race
Taking place on the former Flatlandia Kermesse course in beautiful LaSalle County, Illinois, the WMRRC will encompass 15-mile loop over a mix of pavement and gravel. Winding its way through the corn fields and farmlands of Leland, Illinois, the race will be flat, windy, and uniquely Midwest. Racers will complete between nine and 60 miles of racing, and three gravel sectors with varied terrain will prove challenging to all riding abilities.
Registration is open now on BikeReg.com. Racing categories include Pro1/2, Cat 3, Cat 4; Masters 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-59, 60+; and Juniors 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15-16, 17-18. Women from the following states are eligible to race: Ohio, Minnesota, Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Michigan.
The Mission: Raise the Road
The goal of the WMRRC is to "raise the road" by creating development opportunities for women in a traditionally male-dominated sport. The race unites us, bringing together women of all ages for a fun, meaningful experience that furthers our athletic abilities. It bolsters a racing community that spans across local scenes and state boundaries.
We’re living in an important moment for women’s cycling. As more and more women take to the road, races that build community and engage women in the sport have never been more vital. By organizing together and racing together, we grow stronger—together.
Raise the Road from Chase Bauer on Vimeo.
Join Us.
We hope you’ll join us at the WMRRC and add your momentum to the movement, whether as a racer, volunteer, or fan. CWEC is fundraising for the race through a GoFundMe campaign. We need to raise $5,000 to pay for race permits, officials, event space, and payouts. More importantly, your donation will create an essential foundation for hosting this race not only in Chicago in 2016, but in other Midwestern cities in years to come.
If you can’t donate, consider the many other ways you could contribute to the race:
- Share our GoFundMe campaign with your squad.
- Visit RaiseTheRoad.com and learn more about equality & women's racing in the Midwest.
- Follow Chicago Women’s Elite Cycling on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to receive race news, information, videos, and photos.
- Sign up to volunteer during the race.
- Have your business become sponsor of the race by reaching out to info@chicagowomenselite.com.
Tag your social posts that feature women’s racing in the Midwest with #RaiseTheRoad.