Wellness Wednesday: Riders needed to reclaim Cycling Challenge

Cyclists are still needed to help UNMC recapture the Omaha Corporate Cycling Challenge title on Sunday, Aug. 18.

In 2012, cyclists from UNMC, The Nebraska Medical Center and UNMC Physicians along with their family members combined for 5,566 total miles and 5,106.5 total points to finish third. Alegent Health won with 6,783 points and Union Pacific was second with 5,320.5 points. UNMC also finished third in 2011.

The event is free for employees to participate, and it costs $5 for family members to ride. In 2012, the med center signed up 215 riders; organizers this year want to exceed that number.

“This is a great event for families and recreational riders,” said team captain Peter Pellerito. “The different distances and the non-competitive ride makes it a good fit for everyone — and for you competitive riders, the more med center riders and family members who participate, the better our chances to win the corporate challenge.”

UNMC last won the title in 2009.

Registration

Download a registration form.
Participants can register up to the day of the event.

Routes

Participants may choose to ride:

  • The Olde River Ride (10 miles).
  • Riverside Ride (25 miles).
  • Tour De Fort (42 miles).

All tours begin and end at Omaha’s Heartland of America Park at 8th and Farnam streets.

Points and prizes

The winner in each corporate division of the challenge is based on the number of total employee miles ridden, with miles logged by employee family members counting half toward the organization’s total.

A $100 gift card also is up for grabs and riders increase their chances to win by riding more miles:

  • Those who ride 10 miles earn one opportunity.
  • Those who ride 25 miles earn two opportunities.
  • Those who ride 42 miles earn four opportunities.

Riders also can earn additional opportunities to win the $100 card if they ride farther than they did last year and/or recruit med center riders who didn’t participate last year.

For more information

Contact team captain Peter Pellerito at 559-5253 or by email for more information about the challenge.