Fast-paced cycling event headed to downtown State College. What to know
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- State College will host its first criterium cycling race on July 26.
- Event features nine races and up to 500 riders across multiple skill levels.
- Top male and female winners earn cash prizes, jerseys and state titles.
A fast-paced cycling event sanctioned by USA Cycling and with races for most skill levels — including a shot at the state title — is soon headed to downtown State College for the first time.
The inaugural Happy Valley Cycling State College Criterium will take place July 26. The closed-circuit course will consist of a 0.7-mile loop that runs from East Beaver Avenue to South Pugh Street to East Foster Avenue to South Garner Street.
It will consist of as many as 500 cyclists over nine races and multiple categories, with the first race starting at 9 a.m. Organizers are hoping the community lines the course, especially once the more prestigious races featuring the higher-skill cyclists kick off at 3:30 p.m. (A Fun Race for children in kindergarten through sixth grade is also set to begin at 2:30 p.m.)
“It requires quick acceleration, tactical positioning and sharp cornering skills. That makes it very spectator friendly,” organizer Eric Engelbarts, executive director of Happy Valley Sports & Entertainment Alliance (HVSEA), said in a written statement. “It’s elite cycling and entertainment in one memorable event.”
Unlike traditional road races, criterium racing is markedly shorter and often doesn’t even involve a fixed number of laps before the race. Instead, riders are given a specific window of time, such as 30 minutes, and cyclists are eliminated if they’re lapped by the leader. Once that time is up, organizers then give the remaining racers a set number of laps to complete, and the first one to cross the finish line wins. That setup tends to produce fast-paced races where cyclists are rewarded more for sprinting/technical ability than endurance.
The course will open at 8 a.m. July 26 so cyclists can preview the course before the first race an hour later. The end of the event is scheduled for 5:45 p.m., and separate awards ceremonies for the men and women will include medals and photos. The top men’s winner will receive a jersey and a $750 cash prize, while the top woman will get a jersey and $500 cash prize.
And, of course, the top Masters (amateur) and Elite (pro) finishers also earn state titles that the commonwealth’s cycling association president referred to as “very coveted.”
Cyclists across the state — and even beyond, in most races — are invited to take part. Riders can register online until 5 p.m. July 23, and fees range from free (youth race) to $65. According to race director Marilyn Cullinane, riders simply need the proper equipment and a USA Cycling license. (A one-day license can be purchased the day of the race.)
The event was organized by HVSEA, a local nonprofit organization closely aligned with Happy Valley Adventure Bureau. The races are supported by the Downtown State College Improvement District and State College Borough; Mount Nittany Health will serve as the official medical provider while The Bike Roost will provide neutral support.
For more information, or to register, go to happyvalleysportsandentertainmentalliance.com/statecollegecriterium. First-time riders can also contact Cullinane directly at marilyn.cullinane@gmail.com or 239-961-1902.
This story was originally published May 22, 2025 at 1:53 PM.
