Shawnee sporting events combine to create bike tour, 5k road race

Oklahoma Baptist University, in conjunction with the Pott County Pedalers Racing Team, St. Gregory’s University and the Greater Shawnee Area Convention and Visitors Bureau is planning a bicycle stage race, bike tour and run in Shawnee on Sept. 27-28. The two-day event will include USCF Road Races, USCF Time Trials, USCF Crits, bike tour, 2k fun walk/run and a 5k walk/run. 
All proceeds for the weekend will go to Habitat for Humanity of Shawnee.
The event will combine and replace the Bison Bike Tour, the Sacred Heart Century and the Cavalier 5k Road Race in order to offer the state bicycling/running community a larger and better option. 
Participants will enjoy a pancake breakfast at St. Gregory’s University on Saturday morning and a spaghetti lunch in downtown Shawnee on Sunday following the Criterium.
Jim Vernon, coordinator of the event, said: “This began with the desire to give the cycling community an event in the state to rival the Joe Martin Race in Arkansas, or some of the Texas weekend races. When we approached St. Gregory’s regarding the event, they wanted to not only combine the cycling events, but also the popular 5k road race. We are excited to offer both the cycling and running communities this event. Another advantage to the timing of our event will be the lack of late-season events in the entire region.”
This event also will include 10-, 30- and 62-mile bike tours for cyclists who prefer more of a fun ride. The tour has been scheduled in conjunction with the Santa Fe Depot Homecoming in downtown Shawnee and will include a rest stop at the depot. Tourists can tour the museum, browse the arts and crafts shows and enjoy entertainment.
For more information about this event, contact Jim Vernon or Thresa Swadley at 878-2305 or music@okbu.edu.