LAKEWOOD, Colo., May 30, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- Natural Grocers Cycling (with the support of their
title sponsor, Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage ®) is proud to
support women's bike racing at the 2024 edition of the Jesse Blancarte Memorial 10k Time Trial on
June 16, 2024, in Gardner, Kansas.
This longtime Kansas City area
tradition is a USA
Cycling-sanctioned event sponsored by The Blue River Bicycle Club.
The event began in the mid-1990's, using the old Missouri 210 Highway along the Missouri River
east of I-435 towards Richmond.
The race was renamed in Blancarte's memory after his death in 2002
and eventually moved to its current location at the New Century Air
Center.
A time trial is a unique discipline in the cycling world. Riders
start one minute apart on a designated course and race against the
clock in a variety of USA Cycling
specified categories based on skill, age, aero or non-aero
equipment and gender. While the event regularly attracts the area's
top cycling talent, it also boasts a beginner and youth-friendly
atmosphere. Time trials are especially attractive to those who
wish to compete but are not as comfortable in a large rider pack
found in events like road races and criteriums. First-year
Race Director, Shawn Beeton stated,
"This event has become a staple in the local [Kansas] racing community. There are not
a lot of road races right now and the racers look forward to coming
out and showing what they can do."
The Blue River Bicycle Club continues its partnership with
sponsors such as Shawnee Mission Audi, Elite Cycling KC and Natural
Grocers Cycling. Through a grant provided by Natural Grocers
Cycling (via their title sponsor, Natural Grocers, the
family-operated natural and organic grocery retailer) the race will
offer low-cost racing opportunities for women. The grant was
provided directly to the promoter to subsidize women's entry fees
(bringing the cost down to only $5).
"Natural Grocers Cycling has a simple mission: grow the
communities in which we operate, support our sponsors as brand
ambassadors and promote a healthy, active lifestyle on two
wheels. We accomplish this by providing financial support to
events, connecting local Natural Grocers stores to the cycling
community and lowering the barriers for women by subsidizing entry
fees," said Dan Messina, Managing
Partner for Natural Grocers Cycling. "We invite folks to come cheer
for the racers on June 26 —the first
rider is off at 9 AM. Or better yet,
join in the fun by signing up to race or volunteer. We hope to see
you there!"
Spectators and participants can look for the Natural Grocers'
branded feather flag to find Natural Grocers Cycling under their
signature purple tent. Club members will have fresh fruit to
sample[I] — provided by the Natural Grocers Overland Park store, additional team sponsor
samples to share, plus unlimited high-fives.
- For complete event information and registration for the
upcoming event, please
visit: https://www.bikereg.com/blancarte.
- Visit: https://www.naturalgrocerscycling.com/ to learn
more about the Natural Grocers Cycling.
- To learn more about Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage,
visit www.naturalgrocers.com.
- Media Contact: kmacarelli@naturalgrocers.com.
ABOUT NATURAL GROCERS BY VITAMIN COTTAGE
Founded in 1955, Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc.
(NYSE: NGVC) is an expanding specialty retailer of natural and
organic groceries, body care products, and dietary supplements. The
products sold by Natural Grocers must meet strict quality
guidelines and may not contain artificial colors, flavors,
preservatives or sweeteners, or partially hydrogenated or
hydrogenated oils. The Company sells only USDA-certified organic
produce and exclusively pasture-raised, non-confinement dairy
products, and free-range eggs. Natural Grocers' flexible
smaller-store format allows it to offer affordable prices in a
shopper-friendly, clean, and convenient retail environment. The
Company also provides extensive free science-based Nutrition
Education programs to help customers and Crew make informed health
and nutrition choices. Natural Grocers is committed to its 5
Founding Principles—including its "Commitment to Community" and
"Commitment to Crew". In fiscal year 2023, the Company
invested $15 million in incremental compensation and
discretionary payments for Crew. Headquartered in the Union
Square neighborhood of Lakewood, CO, Natural Grocers has 168
stores in 21 states. Visit www.naturalgrocers.com for more
information and store locations.
ABOUT NATURAL GROCERS CYCLING
Natural Grocers Cycling
has been a living, pedaling extension of the Company's founding
principles since 1987. The squad has a broad range of riders,
encompassing all disciplines of cycling. With over 100 members,
you'll spot these riders on the trails, the roads, volunteering at
events and, of course, at Natural Grocers stores all around the
country to support healthy living on and off the bike. Natural
Grocers Cycling is interested in growing the cycling communities in
which they operate. They have chapters in Denver, Grand
Junction, Durango, Tucson,
and Kansas City and are also
growing in Utah, Wyoming, New
Mexico, Texas, and
West Virginia. Visit
www.naturalgrocerscycling.com for more information.
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SOURCE Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc.