The weeklong event is expected to generate approximately $2.2 million and bring in 1,900 athletes, said John Oney, Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge director of sports and sales. Racing events will take place July 14-20 next year at Explore Park, Elmwood Park and Carvins Cove.
Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge — the regional tourism arm — made the announcement announce Monday along with numerous stakeholders. The event is a collaboration between the city of Roanoke, Roanoke County and Hollins University. Carvins Cove will host the marathon on the first day and will use Hollins University for parking and to serve as a beginning and end location for the race.
The short-track race on the second day will be at Elmwood Park, and the last four racing days will be at Explore Park. In addition to economic gain, the championships are meant to showcase the area’s beauty, build a local interest in cycling and promote healthy and active lifestyles, officials said. They also hope to attract more future visitors and potential residents to the region.
Brendan Quirk, the president and CEO of USA Cycling said many cities in the United States are making big bets on mountain biking as an economic driver, and that Roanoke is doing it particularly well. “We always had our eye on mountain biking,” Oney said. “It just makes sense with the infrastructure we have.
” Kyle Knott, USA Cycling’s national events director, said he visited potential sites this spring. Knott and Quirk agreed that downto.
