It’s the end of August in Park City and that means the National Abilities Center’s Summit Challenge is back, now for its 17th year.
The Challenge is a diverse, distance cycling race, the largest for athletes of all abilities in the state, and serves as a fundraiser for the organization that serves 6,000 athletes with disabilities each year.
The Park City-based center aims to raise $150,000 this year.
“Most things stay pretty much the same from year to year,” says Development Director Caitlin Bognaski.
The organization is limiting registration to 800 riders, and registration closes next Thursday. They expect about 100 accessible riders among the 800. Final race positions can be found on the event website: summitchallenge100.org.
Eight courses ranging from one to 100 miles are available to all riders. The center’s adaptive courses of four and seven miles were well received in 2023. The 100-mile course includes a rare climb at Wolf Creek Ranch for a total length of two miles.
Riders will set off from the starting line at the center’s main ranch next Saturday between 7:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., depending on the race. The ranch is located in town at 1000 Ability Way.
The ranch is also home to the race village, which offers refreshments and live entertainment to riders, supporters and fans. It is open from 11am to 4pm on race day. The village also hosts an awards ceremony at 2:30pm.
All routes pass through Park City and the surrounding areas and end at the same starting line.
“We have 10 rest areas in Summit and Wasatch County for the different routes, as well as support vehicles,” Bognaski added. “If someone has problems with the mechanics of their bike or anything like that, they can get assistance.”
National Ability Center staff like Bognaski and a team of over 200 volunteers ensure the event runs smoothly.
The organization is happy to see happy bikers come to the event each year, including those from out of state. Half of the 6,000 athletes the NAC serves each year come from out of state. There is no other organization in the entire country that offers the same level of programs, accommodations and transportation.
“We have some other adaptive organizations in the village, which is always a really great experience, and then we have other community partners as well,” Bognaski said. “It’s a very fun atmosphere, and so we encourage people to come even if they’re not riding or watching.”
The fundraising goal of $150,000 represents an increase from last year and the center is confident it can be achieved.
The center is still looking for volunteers and drivers for next Saturday’s event. Anyone who would like to help can contact the organization at [email protected].
For more information about the National Ability Center, visit the website: discovernac.org.
