Battle steep climbs, help fight cancer. It’s that simple for those who sign up for the second annual Blue River Century cycling race.

The event, which consists of both a 62-mile and 100 course, will take place in Summit County on June 20th, with proceeds from the event benefiting the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) in the fight against cancer.

As an official grassroots fundraising event of the LAF, last year’s inaugural effort netted $14,000 in funds for cancer research, according to event director Marie Willson. This year the goal is to reach $50,000 in donations for the LAF.

Willson said in a statement that the race will “challenge cyclists with some of the most awe-inspiring terrain in the Rocky Mountains,” while serving “as a positive affirmation of life and as an inspiration for those who have been touched by cancer.”

Willson founded the event and chose to involve the LAF because of what it stands for.

“I align with and believe in the LAF’s philosophy that unity is strength, knowledge is power and attitude is everything,” she said. “This was an opportunity to make a difference incorporating two things I’m passionate about; cycling and the battle against cancer.”

Changing things up

This year’s event aims to accommodate cyclists of different levels, with two rides and multiple

finish options.

All courses share a common starting point at River Run at Keystone and follow paved roads throughout Summit County. The event added a metric century to this year’s race, which is 62 miles, covering 3,300 feet of elevation gain, according to Willson.

The original century, a 100-mile course, provides three different finish options for riders looking for a longer, more challenging ride. The scenic Montezuma finish covers 99.42 miles and gains 5,950 feet of elevation. With the Arapahoe Basin finish, cyclists will cover 98.62 miles and gain 6,470 feet. Finally, the burly Loveland Pass Challenge goes 105.62 miles and climbs 7,680 feet. Mileage and distance are close approximations this year due to some required detours.

Because the century course riders reach the same final aid station, they can choose on the day of the event to conclude their ride with whichever finish option they feel most comfortable. Of particular interest to avid Front Range and Summit County cyclists is the event date (June 20th) which falls one day after Ride the Rockies and one day before the Bicycle Tour of Colorado. Many riders also use the Blue River Century as training for the Triple Bypass ride, which is held two weeks later.

More info

The Blue River Century aims to be an eco- and family friendly experience. Organizers have focused on having local sponsors that place an importance on natural and organic lifestyles. Also, the event will have family activities during the day including a cook out and a DJ. Prizes will also be awarded.

Registration to ride the century is $75. Those aiming to ride the metric century can sign up for $65. There is also a minimum donation of $50 per rider to be made to the LAF by June 20th. The cost for both rides increases by $10 starting June 13th. There is a special deal for teams participating in the events: register 4 riders and the 5th rider’s registration is free.

For more information on the event, visit www.bluerivercentury.com. To learn more about the LAF, visit www.livestrong.org.

Bryce Evans can be reached at (970) 668-4634 or at bevans@summitdaily.com.