Pro Cycling, Family Fest Meet in Downtown Evanston
NorthShore University HealthSystem Grand Prix
On Course for Evanston
Evanston, IL. June 19, 2009 — Evanston, Illinois, once again hosts an international sporting event as the tenth stage of the largest multi-category cycling event in the U.S.: the 17 days-long Point Premium Root Beer International Cycling Classic™. Part of "SuperWeek™" (July 10–26, 2009), NorthShore University HealthSystem's ongoing support enables Evanston to bring the July 19th stage of the race to Chicago's North Shore. Spectators can get up close to the action to watch racers zipping by at 30+ mph and negotiating tight turns along the course while enjoying the city's restaurants, shops and an interactive Expo Area.
"We are pleased to be the title sponsor of this stage of the Point Premium Root Beer International Cycling Classic™, the Grand Prix of Cycling," says J.P. Gallagher, President of Evanston Hospital. "Our mission is to improve and preserve human life and in order to promote that mission we like to focus on healthy lifestyles. This year we are using this opportunity to let people know about the importance of getting screened for cancer."
Dr. Daniel H. Shevrin, Director of the Kellogg Cancer Care Center and an avid cyclist, adds, "Early detection for cancer is important for a healthy lifestyle. While we haven’t cured cancer, we know that catching it early improves our ability to fight it. We want to build awareness on this issue and encourage people to 'Get Screened' for cancer…and take action towards preventive health. It’s a good thing."
“Evanston is a world class city. It is events like this one that help define Evanston as a lively, engaging, and fun place to live, work, study, dine, shop, and play,” says Evanston Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl. “This event is held on the same weekend as Evanston's Ethnic Arts Festival, making the weekend of July 18 and 19 the best weekend—not only in Evanston—but on the North Shore.
"We want to thank NorthShore University HealthSystem and all the other supporting sponsors, without which this event could not happen the way that it does. Evanston is truly lucky to have so many City staffers, organizations, and sponsors each contributing their time, efforts, and resources to show us all a good time on July 19th.”
Free Pro Sporting Event Surrounded By a Festival Setting
The Evanston race is part of the Point Premium Root Beer International Cycling Classic™ (ICC), which consists of 17 bicycle races in 17 cities (from Blue Island south of Chicago to Central Wisconsin) over 17 days in mid-July, concurrent with the renowned Tour de France.
Celebrating its 41st anniversary, the ICC attracts 165,000 spectators watching 5,500 Olympic medallists, national champions and professional cyclists from across the U.S. and more than 20 foreign countries as they compete for $125,000 in prizes. Some European teams send their athletes who are not riding in the Tour de France (where only nine members of a given team are allowed to participate) to SuperWeek.
Families, cycling enthusiasts and racers experience Evanston at its best. The race takes place on a one-mile, hour-glass-shaped course through the streets of downtown Evanston. More than 30 restaurants, bars and food vendors are located directly on the course and another 20 are within one block. Many establishments will be offering dining and cocktails al fresco throughout the day while most retail stores will be open for business (some with special promotions).
The full day of racing begins at 9:00 a.m., with pro men's and women's races starting at 4:00 p.m. During the one-hour intermission at 3:15 p.m., kids from three to nine years old can race their own bikes right on the course near Fountain Square. EvMark and Downtown Evanston will be providing live music and dancing as with the Roots Rock Society the stage to kick up a live dance party starting at 4:15 p.m.
Local Businesses Add Their Enthusiastic Support
"The NorthShore University HealthSystem Grand Prix is the largest free-to-the-public sporting event on the North Shore with 15,000 to 20,000 spectators cheering and banging the boards along the course. NorthShore University HealthSystem's leadership in sponsoring this event is strengthened by the fact that so many business and community groups have joined in to make it such a success," says Chris Mailing, Director of the Turin Bicycle Society and Director of Operations for the event.
Other supporting organizations are:
- EvMark (dba "Downtown Evanston")
- Evanston Chamber of Commerce
- Chicago's North Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau
- Youth Organizations Umbrella (Y.O.U.)
Carolyn Dellutri, Executive Director of EvMark, sees great value in the Grand Prix as an Evanston showpiece: "This fantastic event is a testament to the community that NorthShore University HealthSystem and all the other organizations support it so enthusiastically. I encourage all local business owners to step up and get involved in this event." (See Be a Sponsor for details.) Businesses that have become supporting sponsors are:
- Whole Foods Market
- Harris Bank
- McGaw YMCA
- Hilton Garden Inn Evanston
- The Autobarn Volkswagen
- Comcast
- SRAM Corp. (bicycle components)
- The Evanston Review
- Allegra Print and Imaging
- Turin Bicycle
- The Pony Shop
- Rotary International
- Evanstonlofts.com
- Evanstonow.com
Chris Mailing, Director of the Turin Bicycle Society and Director of Operations for the NorthShore University HealthSystem Grand Prix, shares details about the event with members of the press, participating sponsors and members of the Evanston community.
Top photo by Jon Hillenbrand