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The village of Bensenville hopes sponsoring a popular national bicycle race and a 5K run during the week won’t stop residents from coming out to these events, which traditionally draw hundreds of people.
The annual Ray Basso International Bike Race, usually held on a weekend, will this year take place during a two-day period in the middle of the week.
The event will be from 10 a.m. to dusk Tuesday, July 15, and Wednesday, July 16, at Redmond Recreational Complex at Jefferson and John streets.
The race, which draws cyclists from around the world, was renamed last year in honor of former longtime village trustee Ray Basso. He retired from the Bensenville Village Board last year.
The event features several different bicycle races over two days, based on skill levels. Men’s and women’s races are also held separately.
“We wanted to spread out the bike race over two days this year, and that’s easier to do during the week,” said village spokeswoman Linda Dickson.
The village is also letting residents bet on the bike races this year, but not with real money.
Those in attendance can spend their “Basso Bucks,” which where mailed to all the homes in the village, by wagering them on who will win in the various races. Participants can then cash in their winnings for a number of prizes such as sporting equipment, season passes for Chicago Steel hockey games, and more.
Another change this year is the race will be confined to Redmond Park, while past runs were on residential streets.
Mason, Jefferson And John streets will be closed to traffic on those two days, although residents still will have access to their homes.
Also changing days is the popular John Kurtz 5K run/walk, which last year was on the same day as the bike race. The competitive event will be 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 16, at Redmond Park.
The entry fee is $10, and payment can be made at the Bensenville Village Hall, 12 S. Center St. More than $5,000 in cash prizes will be given away to finishers of the event, village officials said.
The race, named after longtime Fenton High School track coach John Kurtz, featured more than 125 participants last year.
For more information, call (630) 766-8888.
The village of Bensenville hopes sponsoring a popular national bicycle race and a 5K run during the week won’t stop residents from coming out to these events, which traditionally draw hundreds of people.
The annual Ray Basso International Bike Race, usually held on a weekend, will this year take place during a two-day period in the middle of the week.
The event will be from 10 a.m. to dusk Tuesday, July 15, and Wednesday, July 16, at Redmond Recreational Complex at Jefferson and John streets.
The race, which draws cyclists from around the world, was renamed last year in honor of former longtime village trustee Ray Basso. He retired from the Bensenville Village Board last year.
The event features several different bicycle races over two days, based on skill levels. Men’s and women’s races are also held separately.
“We wanted to spread out the bike race over two days this year, and that’s easier to do during the week,” said village spokeswoman Linda Dickson.
The village is also letting residents bet on the bike races this year, but not with real money.
Those in attendance can spend their “Basso Bucks,” which where mailed to all the homes in the village, by wagering them on who will win in the various races. Participants can then cash in their winnings for a number of prizes such as sporting equipment, season passes for Chicago Steel hockey games, and more.
Another change this year is the race will be confined to Redmond Park, while past runs were on residential streets.
Mason, Jefferson And John streets will be closed to traffic on those two days, although residents still will have access to their homes.
Also changing days is the popular John Kurtz 5K run/walk, which last year was on the same day as the bike race. The competitive event will be 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 16, at Redmond Park.
The entry fee is $10, and payment can be made at the Bensenville Village Hall, 12 S. Center St. More than $5,000 in cash prizes will be given away to finishers of the event, village officials said.
The race, named after longtime Fenton High School track coach John Kurtz, featured more than 125 participants last year.
For more information, call (630) 766-8888.
