The Philadelphia Cycling Classic — and famed Manayunk Wall — returns this weekend. Here’s everything you need to know.
If you plan on attending the race, it's free — and there's even a fan fest. If not, it will be available to stream on 6abc.
The Philadelphia Cycling Classic is back this weekend for the first time in a decade.
From 1985 to 2016, the race was a staple in the streets of Philadelphia, and it’s finally making its return with the men’s and women’s races on Sunday.
Here’s everything you need to know about the race and its return ...
What is the Philadelphia Cycling Classic?
The Philadelphia Cycling Classic started in June 1985 and was recognized as one of the most iconic cycling races in the country.
The course is a 14.4-mile circuit that will start and finish on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The women’s race will total 65 miles, while the men’s race will be 122 miles.
Originally known as the CoreStates U.S. Pro Cycling Championship, the race took about 100 professional riders on a 10-lap circuit spanning Fairmount Park and the hills of Manayunk, with speed skater and Olympic gold medalist Eric Heiden winning the inaugural race.
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In late January 2017, city officials announced that the race’s run had come to an end. That year, organizers said, the race would cost an estimated $1 million to successfully — and safely — put on, and not enough sponsors were interested in ponying up the funds.
Former racer Carlos Rogers, former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, and Eric Robbins are responsible for spearheading the race’s return this year.
What is the race route?
The original course ran up the Ben Franklin Parkway to Kelly Drive, passing through East Falls, Roxborough, and Manayunk, which was home to the most famous part of the course, the Manayunk Wall.
This year’s race will return to that original course, and will take participants past Strawberry Mansion, Lemon Hill, Boathouse Row — and, of course, up the Wall.
The Wall is a steep incline hill, reaching up to a 17% grade over a stretch of about a half mile, mostly on Levering Street in Manayunk. It is considered one of the race’s most iconic components, and has been part of the race since 1985, when Jerry Casale and David Chauner first mapped out the course.
Road closures will start on Saturday with the Philadelphia Cycling Classic Amateur Time Trial and continue into Sunday for the main events.
Who is competing?
The Philadelphia Racing Classic will feature 36 teams, and 212 riders.
Eight of the teams competing are WorldTour teams — three women’s and five men’s. Overall, there will be 21 women’s teams and 15 men’s teams, with riders representing 28 countries across the world.
Olympians and national champions are among the riders on Sunday, including world class athletes that have competed in the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, and Vuelta a España.
Racers Robin Carpenter of Modern Adventure Pro Cycling and Kim Stoveld of AUTOMATIC Racing will be among the local riders competing. For Carpenter, this is his fourth Philadelphia Cycling Classic while Stoveld has witnessed the race as a spectator before she started cycling around the time of the Covid-19 pandemic.
What do the winners receive?
The Philadelphia Cycling Classic offers equal prizes, in the men’s and women’s races, a total of $75,000 each. Winners will also receive trophies crafted by John Rais, an artist and metalsmith with a studio located in North Philly.
How do I watch?
Locally, 6abc will air the race live on television for those who want to watch from home, which includes steams on 6abc’s Youtube Channel, website, and on Hulu and Disney+. A special will air at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday on 6abc.
The women’s race will start at 8:35 a.m. on Sunday with the men’s race to follow at noon.
For fans interested in attending, access to the race will be free, meaning anyone can line up along the course to watch.
Traditionally, large parties take place along the tight streets of Manayunk, turning the race into a festival of sorts. But for those not located in the Manayunk area, the event’s official Fan Fest will be held by the Iroquois Sculpture near Philadelphia Museum of Art from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m on Saturday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Entry is free and will include vendors, live entertainment, a stream of the race, activities for kids, and a beer garden.