By West Michigan Tourist Association

Zeeland will host its eighth Zeeland twilight Criterium. This event will take place on Saturday, Aug. 20, beginning at 5 p.m.

A Criterium is, by definition, a one-day bicycle race down a circuit road course. It is the most common form of American racing, complete with a multi-lap race to the finish. The course, generally spanning up to a mile in length, is repeated by the cyclists until anywhere from 25 to 60 miles is covered. The cyclists are to successfully tear through consecutive corners of the course without a place-breaking wipe out.



Quick acceleration, agility, and balance are essential to being a competitive contender in the race. Zeeland’s Criterium racers will charge through the streets of Zeeland in a competitive half mile loop throughout historic downtown.

The event commences with a 5 p.m. kick off of the free kids race where children 12 and under are welcome to come out and race on the same course used by the pros (each child must wear a helmet to be part of the race).

Children’s race at 5 p.m. (1 Lap)

Category 4/5 Race at 5:30 p.m. (30 minutes)

Category 3/4 Race at 6:15 p.m. (45 minutes)

Community Ride at 7:05 p.m. (3 laps)

Category 1/2/3 Race at 7:20 p.m. (60 minutes)

Both start and finish of the race is held midblock on Main Street between Elm and Church. Participants will cycle west on Main Street to Elm; south on Elm to Central; East on Central to Church; south on Church to Lincoln; East on Lincoln to Centennial; North on Centennial Main; West on Main to finish.

At the close of each race, awards will be presented in the park near the start / finish.

Registration is available at: https://www.bikereg.com/zeeland-criterium . Registration now through Aug. 18 is $45. Aug. 19 & 20 the fee is $55.