Cyclists from across the country accustomed to ending the three-day, 180-mile Southeast Ohio race in Athens will get a change in scenery this August.
Pelotonia, a race that has raised more than $108 million to date for the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, will end at Kenyon College, about two hours north of Athens.
This is the first time in four years exhausted cyclists will not cross the finish line on Ohio University’s campus — but the decision wasn’t made to avoid Southeast Ohio’s famous hills.
Rather, the move will allow organizers to create additional routes, said Jessica Kinman, event spokeswoman. But those routes have not been decided.
“There are still hills that way, but there is more diverse terrain in Gambier County,” Kinman said. “We’re adding a 75-mile route and a 155-mile route, but nothing has been finalized.”
The new routes will give cyclists additional options to choose from, which Kinman hopes will help the event grow.
“We’re hoping for more people to participate for as long as they can,” she said, “Whether they ride the 75-mile route or the 155-mile route — we want them to have that option.”
The Pelotonia has grown each year and more than 5,000 people participated in 2011.
“I think regardless of the move, we will have more riders,” Kinman said. “But we hope that with the additional routes, even more people will come.”
Athens Mayor Paul Wiehl said he will miss the Pelotonia, but understands their decision to move.
“It has always been an exciting time to see all the riders arrive,” Wiehl said. “I think this is a good fundraising event and, as such, needs a shift in locations to keep it fresh.”
Although Wiehl is not sure whether the move will affect uptown businesses, he doesn’t see it as a financial loss for the city.
“This might present a slight down tick on visitor or tourism money, but for the most part the activities were centered on the OU campus,” he said.
Although the change in race terrain means avid cyclists will bypass Cycle Path Bicycles, 104 W. Union St., owner Maxine Rantane said the races doesn’t bring much extra business.
“During the race (the riders) are exhausted. All they want is food, water and bed,” Rantane said. “We got business beforehand because people from the area were going to participate.”
Pelotonia organizers will always consider OU to be a building block and Kinman said organizers appreciate everything the university has done.
“OU has been nothing short of exceptional,” she said, “They welcomed us with open arms that first year when we were really just starting out.”
ls114509@ohiou.edu
