Racers from across the area will soon join a mission to promote assets in the region.

With approval from Elizabethton leaders in the bag, Milligan College will once again host their home race through the downtown street on Sunday, March 25.

Since 2014, downtown Elizabethton has proven to be an enjoyable location for both racers and visitors, according to Milligan College head cycling coach Zack Nave.

In a letter addressed to City Council, Nave mentioned that due to the popularity of the location, the Southeastern Collegiate Cycling Conference (SECCC) allowed the school to have the location once again.

“This race has been a huge success with rider and team numbers growing each year … I am very excited about this opportunity and what it could bring for not only our school, but for the city of Elizabethton,” Nave stated in the letter.

According to the city, the event will allow visitors from outside the area a chance to enjoy the community and “support a new effort by the college to include Elizabethton in their students’ lives.”

The racing is expected to last from 7:30 a.m. to around 4:15 p.m. and further information on the race can be acquired by the visiting the school’s website.

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But Milligan College isn’t the only group to partner with the city.

Continuing the trend of promoting local assets, All Trails Cycling recently got permission to hold a mountain bike race at the Hampton Watershed area, near Hampton High School, on April 8.

While the area is maintained by the city water department, Johann Coetzee, Water Resources Department director, states the city welcomes “responsible users of the protected area” because both hikers and bikers “help keep an eye out for illegal dumping and littering” and prove to be an asset in maintaining trails. The event will be sanctioned by USA Cycling and see a portion of registration funds go to support high school mountain bike teams in the region.

Visit alltrailscycling.com to learn more about the race and how to compete.