El Tour De Tucson will celebrate its silver anniversary Saturday, November 17th. Last year’s event drew 8,248 cyclists, 2,700 volunteers and 27,000 spectators.
Sponsors & Beneficiaries
The University Medical Center (UMC) is the new title sponsor of El Tour as the event celebrates its 25th anniversary.
University Medical Center is an independent not-for-profit 355-bed academic medical facility that is affiliated with the University of Arizona. UMC is the only Tucson hospital recognized as one of “ America’s Best Hospitals” by U.S. News & World Report, ranking among the top fifty hospitals in the nation in four areas of specialty medical care (cancer, heart and heart surgery, respiratory disorders and geriatrics). UMC operates the recently completed Peter and Paula Fasseas Cancer Clinic, as well as three physician offices, including one in Green Valley
Diamond Ventures, Inc. returns as El Tour’s presenting sponsor for the eighth year in a row. Diamond Ventures is a Tucson-based full-service real estate company known for its quality residential, retail, commercial and industrial planning and development. Its residential developments are recognized for their carefully designed bicycling, walking and equestrian trails. The event is also supported by 92.9 The Mountain, AAA Landscape, Bruegger’s Bagel Bakery, Citi Cards, City of Tucson, City of Tucson Water, Clif Bar, Cox Communications, Cross Country Automotive Services, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Greater Arizona Bicycling Association, Golden Eagle Distributors, Intuit, Jim Click Hyundai, KAZ-TV, KGUN 9, MTCVB, Metro Restaurants, Performance Bicycle Shop, Picor, Pima County, Pizza Hut, Rio West, Texas Instruments, Tucson Home Magazine and Velo News.
El Tour is expected to bring in approximately $50 - $70 million to the Tucson area during the course of the year including $20 - $30 million on ride weekend
Proceeds from this year’s event will again benefit Tu Nidito Children and Family Services whose mission is to provide individual, family and group support to children and their families as they deal with serious illnesses and death. El Tour officials look to raise over $275,000 for Tu Nidito, the American Parkinson Disease Association, Water For People and other Perimeter Bicycling charities and expect Leukemia & Lymphoma Society cyclists to raise $3 million.
Schedule of events
On Sunday, September 16th, El Tour season begins with the Diamond Ventures 10th annual El Tour Kick-Off 10K&5K Run/Walk at Continental Reserve. Each day thereafter, through El Tour, Flag Riders will bicycle the entire El Tour route carrying the El Tour flag. And, new this year, is the Diamond Ventures El Tour Halloween 10K & 5K Run/Walk at Sycamore Park on Sunday, October 28th.
El Tour week, itself, includes a 3-day Bike, Fitness & Health EXPO with the Michelob ULTRA Beer Garden, Orientation Meetings, a 2-day Wellness Conference, a Dedication Dinner and the Rusing & Lopez 12th annual El Tour Golf Classic.
Ride day opens with the 109-mile Main Event and includes the Cox Communications 80-Mile El Tour, the Intuit 66-Mile El Tour, the Town of Oro Valley 35-Mile El Tour, the TMC Kids & Family Fun Ride and, new last year, the Lemond Fitness Indoor El Tour. Kids activities, live bands, a beer garden, food, massages, the Grand Cycling Awards Ceremony and a grand finale by the internationally renowned Flam Chen fire show round out the El Tour Downtown Fiesta.
** Information courtesy of Perimeter Bicycling Association of America
