More than 100 riders showed to compete in the race at Elm Ridge Park Saturday, with all the proceeds benefitting the Rocky Hill Dog Park. The race was sponsored by the dog park committee and the Central Connecticut Cycling Club, which is affiliated with Berlin Bicycle.
Jeff Murray, a member of both the cycling club and dog park committee, organized the event and headed a group of volunteers, including his wife Cindy, who worked the race. Two of the volunteers were there to officiate the race, which was a U.S. Cycling Federation-sanctioned event.
"I really like the sport so it was a good opportunity for us to have a race, a good quality event and at the same time raising some money," he said.
Murray, a Rocky Hill resident and dog owner, also came up with the fundraising idea.
"We were knocking around some ideas for fundraisers and I said 'Why don't we do this [cyclocross race]?'" Murray said. "They didn't know what it was. Nobody had any idea what it was... They basically went on the trust that I knew what I was doing. I put most of it together."
Coincidentally, riders raced right by the two-acre area for the proposed dog park.
The course was created in the back of Elm Ridge Park near the amphitheater. In cyclocross, racers have to dismount their bikes to negotiate obstacles placed throughout the course, which makes it it comparable to the steeplechase.
"This is my first cross race," said Karen Franzen of Wethersfield. "I've watched people do it for a number of years and I've always wanted to try one. It's in my own back yard so how could I not. Plus, it's a good cause."
Riders of all ages came to compete. And there was a category for all of them, from the kids race to the men's 55 and older race. The top finishers in each category received prizes ranging from cash to gift cards and merchandise donated from places like Dick's Sporting Goods and L.L. Bean.
The event was promoted by the Rocky Hill Parks and Recreation Department and was also listed on cycling Web sites, which helped draw riders from near and far, including New Haven's Taylor Valentine.
"It was a really good course," Valentine said. "It was hard, short, fast, painful, relentless."
After competing, Valentine and his friends, Scott Frison and Lee Salway of North Haven, took out a portable grill, made themselves lunch and enjoy a beautiful afternoon at the park. They all enjoyed their experience at the race.
"For a first-year event, a local event [it was] very good," Murray said. "We've had positive feedback back from everybody. I haven't heard one complaint."