Annual Milligan Cycling Classic to be held in downtown Elizabethton on Sunday

Published 12:37 pm Friday, March 3, 2023

By Heather Richardson

Star Correspondent

The Milligan University Cycling team will hold its annual Milligan Cycling Classic downtown on Sunday from 10 a.m. to  3 p.m. The event, which is the second race of the Southeastern Cycling Conference season, will include 15 to 20 schools with a total of nearly 100 racers. This year’s event is the first time the Milligan team has hosted a home race since the pandemic. According to Milligan’s cycling coach Zachary Nave the race downtown is the last day of racing for the teams and is the most spectator friendly. The event, he said, has grown each year in both participation and spectators.

“It is very intense and fun to watch, especially the Men A and Women A categories,” Nave said. “We love hosting our Sunday criterium race in downtown Elizabethton because it really shows off the beauty of our area.”

Main Street Program Director Courtney Bean said the event is a great opportunity to showcase the downtown area and the growth of the Main Street district.

“We are so glad to see the Milligan Cycling Classic back in downtown Elizabethton…We invite everyone to come out and enjoy the fast-paced race, while also supporting the small businesses that are open on Sunday like Southern Restaurant and Riverside Taphouse!” Bean said.

Southern Restaurant will be open from 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. and offering 10% off to all participants. Riverside Taphouse opens from noon until 8 p.m. and offers a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages for the whole family and a great patio to watch the race as well.

In addition to the several downtown restaurants and businesses opening up for the event, Bean said Hot Rod’s Kitchen food truck will be parked in front of Bonnie Kate Theatre from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The cyclists will begin in front of the Bonnie Kate Theatre and make a loop around Hattie Ave., S. Riverside Drive, East E. St., and N. Sycamore St. before finishing back at Bonnie Kate. Roads will be closed starting at 8 a.m. Sunday in the following sections:

Roads will reopen at 4 p.m.

Those with a business and/or residence, along with the churches, will still be able to access their property through caution.