WILMINGTON, N.Y. --- The Wilmington/Whiteface 100K (WW100) mountain bike race has been described by some as grueling, rugged, intense, ultra-challenging and by others as sadistic.  But for the past three years, mountain bikers have been flocking to Wilmington, N.Y. to compete in this race and perhaps earn a qualifying spot in the prestigious Leadville 100 (LT100).  On Sunday, June 22, cyclists will once again visit the upstate New York community, which sits in the shadows of the Olympic mountain, and try to tackle one of the most demanding LT100 qualifying events.

From start to finish, the WW100’s course is as varied as the cyclists competing from the eastern United States and Canada. The race both begins and ends at Whiteface Mountain, but in between, the 69-mile long race will take competitors up and down and twisting through jeep and gravel roads, back country trails as well as climbs that measure more than 750 meters each.  All of this is before two, three-mile finishing loops and a pair of 350-foot climbs at Whiteface ahead of the finish line.

Awaiting the top cyclists will be a spot in LT100, the Holy Grail of mountain bike races.  Between 70 and 100 spots will be awarded to the top three finishers in each division, while the remaining spots will be distributed based on performance and a lottery system.  Racers who do come away with qualifications will have the opportunity to race in either this year’s LT100 or next year’s.

Cyclists who may not be ready for the full WW100 can also compete in 50K event.  In its second year, the 50K race is an excellent way for riders to experience the event without having to race the full 100K.  

“The Wilmington/Whiteface 100K is being labeled as the ‘Leadville of the East’ by competitors as the course is as challenging as it is breathtakingly beautiful,” said Town of Wilmington supervisor Randy Preston.

Both the 100K and 50K races are a part of the June 20-22 fifth annual Wilmington Whiteface Bike Fest.  The bikefest is designed to promote and showcase cycling opportunities in and around Wilmington.

This year’s festival will feature a beginner, instructional mountain bike program, the popular jump jam with the Krusher Stunt Team, a “poor man’s” downhill, beach party, food, games, lives music, a “best calves” contest and the 13^th annual Whiteface Mountain Uphill Bike Race.

The uphill race, which is part of the northeast Bike Up the Mountain Points Series (BUMPS), will be contested on the morning of Saturday, June 21, which allows racers to compete in both events.  The course takes cyclist 11 miles up the Whiteface Veterans' Memorial Highway, a 3,500-foot climb to the summit of New York State’s fifth highest peak.  To register for the Whiteface Mountain Uphill Bike Race, log onto https://www.bikereg.com/whiteface-mountain-13th-annual-uphill-bike-race.  

“Wilmington is continuing to grow into the cycling mecca of the Adirondacks,” stated Preston.  “We continue to refine and expand our cycling network and events. Wilmington can offer some of the most scenic vista's in the Adirondacks.”

Registration is now available, https://register.chronotrack.com//reg/form?eventID=6679&lc=en, for the Wilmington Whiteface 100K. The entry fee through May 31 is $90 for solo riders and $180 for a tandem team.  Afterwards the registration fee will be $120 for solo riders and $190 for tandem teams.

The 50K fee through May 31 is $75 for solo riders and $145 for a two-person team. Afterwards the cost is $105 for solo riders and $215 for a two-person team to enter the event.

The WW100 is the only LT100 qualifier in the northeast United States and is the second event in the four-race qualifying series. Other races that make up the Leadville Qualifying Series include the Austin Rattler, March 29; the Fire Road, July 5; Silver Rush 50 MTB, July12; and the Tahoe Trail 100K, July 19.  The Leadville 100 is slated for Aug. 9.

For more information, visit http://www.facebook.com/WilmingtonBikeFest?ref=ts&fref=ts, or www.WhitefaceRace.com. Twitter #WWBikeFest.

 Media Advisory: Attached to this release is the WW100 logo and two photos from last year’s WW100 race. Please give photo courtesy to Whiteface/ORDA.

-- ORDA --

Established in 1982, the New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) was created by the State of New York to manage the facilities used during the 1980 Olympic Winter Games at Lake Placid. ORDA operates Whiteface, Belleayre and Gore Mountain ski areas; the Olympic Sports Complex at Mt. Van Hoevenberg; the Olympic speed skating oval, Olympic jumping complex and Olympic arena. As host to international and national championships, the Authority has brought millions of athletes, spectator and participants to the region, resulting in significant economic development.