King County’s Marymoor Park hosts premier velodrome cycling championship, July 27-28

This Friday and Saturday, the Group Health Velodrome at King County's Marymoor Park hosts a regional track cycling championship event that features some of the country's top racers.

More than 150 cyclists will be racing for prize money and potentially a spot at the U.S. Track Cycling Championships this October.

The FSA Grand Prix and Northwest Velodrome Championships features some of the best riders in the United States – along with thousands of cheering fans – as cyclists compete for more than $14,000 in prize money. The event is a qualifier for the U.S. National Track Cycling Championships, set for Los Angeles in early October.

"We're proud that Marymoor Park is home to the only velodrome in the state, and we've worked hard to make the Group Health Velodrome a fantastic place for spectators to bring a picnic and relax while watching the races from bleachers or from the grassy banks above the track," said King County Executive Ron Sims.

Time trials began Friday at 1 p.m., with mass start races beginning at 7 p.m. Saturday's events include time trials and sprints beginning at 9:30 a.m., and continuing through the early afternoon. Mass start races begin at 7 p.m., followed by the finals. Both evenings feature an action-packed schedule of racing, music, food vendors and a beer garden.
Daytime events are free. Admission for evening events is $4 for adults, kids under 16 are free. The full schedule of FSA Grand Prix events is available at www.fsagrandprix.com.

Group Health Cooperative joined King County's Partnership for Parks program in 2004. Under the partnership, Group Health has exclusive naming rights for the velodrome through 2008, title sponsorship of the popular Friday Night Race Series, printing and distribution of the King County Bicycle Map, and provides $610,000 over five years to support the maintenance and operations of parks facilities.

"Through these types of innovative partnerships we can invest our financial resources into bringing King County residents more amenities that add to their quality of life," said Sims, who is also an avid cyclist.

Harley Sheffield, Executive Director of the non-profit Marymoor Velodrome Association (MVA), said the region's cyclists are reaping a tremendous benefit from King County's association with Group Health.

"Thanks to this partnership, our members have access to world-class track racing right in our own backyard," Sheffield said. "The agreement between King County and Group Health helps us increase exposure to track cycling and energizes our volunteers to continue their efforts with educational and competition programs at the velodrome."

Group Health President and CEO Scott Armstrong said his organization has found its partnership with King County to be a perfect fit.

"As a health care organization we support cycling because it raises public awareness about the health benefits of an active lifestyle and it is a natural part of Group Health's long-standing commitment to the health and well-being of the community," Armstrong said. "Cycling has become part of Group Health's social mission."

The MVA sponsors Monday, Wednesday and Friday races, adult track classes, and cycling classes for children and teens at the Group Health Velodrome. From April through December, the MVA manages the promotion of more than 70 track racing and Cyclocross events, as well as 60 days of cycling classes. More information about the MVA is available at www.velodrome.org, or by calling 206-957-4555.

Founded in 1947, Group Health is a consumer-governed, nonprofit health care system that coordinates care and coverage. Based in Seattle, Group Health and its subsidiary health carriers, Group Health Options, Inc., and KPS Health Plans, serve approximately 573.000 members in Washington and Idaho. Group Health encompasses medical and specialty centers, hospitals (including a full service community hospital), a nationally recognized research center, and a charitable foundation. For more information on Group Health, visit www.ghc.org.

King County Parks - Your Big Backyard - offers more than 25,000 acres of parks and natural lands, including such regional treasures as Marymoor Park and Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, 175 miles of regional trails, plus pools and a world-class aquatic center. By cultivating strong relationships with non-profit, corporate and community partners, King County Parks enhances park amenities while reducing costs. Learn more at http://www.metrokc.gov/parks/.

For more information about events and schedules at the Group Health Velodrome please visit the website at www.metrokc.gov/parks/marymoor/velodrome.html.