Chris Thater Criterium
My latest race was the best (hardest and fastest) criterium of the season. This last weekend I raced the Chris Thater Criterium in Binghamton, NY. I can’t recommend this more highly. When was the the last race you went to that travel directions were posted on an electronic sign over the Interstate highway!! That’s organization. This race has been going on for 21 years and they have it organized.
The race is around a park in Binghamton on closed roads with excellent police support. The park is dedicated to the event with booths for food and supporting organizations. The theme of the event is anti-DUI awareness. Bleechers are setup at the S/F with good quality announcers.
The course is just under 1 mi with a challenging rise between turn 1 and turn 2. The slight hill is NOT significant once but after 25 laps at race speed, it’s real work. After turn 2 it is almost downhill to the S/F. Speeds will be over 30mph through the wide turns. The road surface is excellent with almost no potholes.
Race fields are large but with this excellent course, crashes are rare.
So put this one on your calendar for next year……It’s definitely on mine.
Posted: August 31st, 2005 under Bicycle Racing.