The Medford Township Council is pleased to announce that the Recreation Department will be sponsoring its 7th Annual TOUR de MEDFORD series of pro Olympic-caliber & amateur cycling criterium races on Saturday, August 22, 2009.

Run under the auspices of the US Cycling Federation (USCF), and in conjunction with the Heart House/CC Evesham elite cycling team, cyclists from throughout the region will descend upon Medford to compete on our course in historic and scenic downtown Medford Village. The .09-mile loop course will start on South Main Street in front of the Medford Memorial Community Center and proceed to Union Street, then onto Allen Avenue, and back to South Main Street.

Starting at 8:30 am sharp and continuing through 1:00 pm, five (5) events will be staged for cyclists, including a Senior Men’s Category 4/5 20-lap event; a Senior Women’s 17-lap event, a Master Men’s 35+ 25-lap event, and a Senior Men’s Pro & 1-2-3 40-lap event. The Senior Men’s 1/2/3 and the Master Men’s 35+ events are a part of the prestigious MAXXIS Garden State Cup Series.

In between these races, competitions will be staged for area residents, including children and adults.

For more information & to register for the USCF competitions, on-line registration is available at www.bikereg.com or www.njbikeracing.com. Registration for the local competitions is free. Registrations will also be accepted the day of the event at the Medford Memorial Community Center, located at 21 South Main Street, beginning at 7:30 am.

Volunteers are also needed to act as Marshalls along the route to assist with pedestrian and traffic control. If interested, please contact the Medford Recreation Department at 609-654-2512.

The events will be held rain or shine.

Even if you’re not an accomplished cyclist, you are encouraged to join us on Main Street on August 22nd to share in the excitement and cheer on the competitors!