Chevron Manhattan Beach Grand Prix To Return
Jul 10, 2022 09:53AM ● By Mb News Staff
Photo via Manhattan Beach Grand Prix/Dan Munson
After a two-year hiatus due to COVID, the Chevron Manhattan Beach Grand Prix is back celebrating nearly six decades of elite cycling competition. Bike racers are gearing up for this year’s event set for Sunday, July 24.
The Chevron Kids’ Zone for children two through 12 years will also be back this year. This area will be featured at the Start/Finish line and include free t-shirts, face painting, color hair spray, temporary glitter tattoos, hot dogs, cookies, a photo booth, balloon animals, games, and prizes.
The 1.4-mile course circles counterclockwise around Live Oak Park, up Valley Drive and down Ardmore, from 15th Street to Pacific Avenue. Race fans will line the streets to cheer on the riders as their endurance is worn away with each uphill climb.
This year marks Chevron’s 30th consecutive year as the title sponsor of this event, which was founded in 1962 by local racing legend Ted Ernst. With Chevron’s support and that of the South Bay Wheelmen Foundation, the Grand Prix has grown to attract over 700 contestants, including the world’s top cyclists, from six continents, and over 7,500 spectators.
The first race begins at 7 a.m. at Live Oak Park. All told, there are nine races catering to all levels of cyclists, as well as a wide range of community racers.
The day’s premier races are the Women's Pro 1-3 race at 1:00 p.m. and
the Men's Pro 1-2 race at 2:00 p.m. where some of the country's top pro
riders compete for equal $8,000 purses.
The fan favorite kids’ races for children between the ages of two and 12, will be held at 12:30 p.m. Riding either a bicycle or a tricycle, kids compete for various prizes and each participant receives an official race number, t-shirt, medal and goodie bag.
The Manhattan Mile Run for Education, a one mile running race, will be held at 12:00 noon and will feature men’s and women’s elite races, as well a fun run. This year’s race will benefit the Manhattan Beach Education Foundation (MBEF) with Chevron matching up to $10,000 in race registration fees.
The Chevron Kids’ Zone for children two through 12 years will also be back this year. This area will be featured at the Start/Finish line and include free t-shirts, face painting, color hair spray, temporary glitter tattoos, hot dogs, cookies, a photo booth, balloon animals, games, and prizes.
“We are very excited to have the Chevron Manhattan Beach Grand Prix back after cancelling the past two years due to the pandemic,” said Jill Dunn, Chevron’s Corporate Affairs Representative. “We have always viewed this event as a fun day for families. We are looking forward to once again hosting the Chevron Kids’ Zone and contributing to MBEF by way of matching the Manhattan Mile registration fees. We hope the community will come out and spend the day celebrating with us.”
In addition to the nine races, the Manhattan Mile Run for Education, and the Chevron
Kids’ Zone, the event will include food vendors and local exhibits.Race Now In Its 59th Year
The 1.4-mile course circles counterclockwise around Live Oak Park, up Valley Drive and down Ardmore, from 15th Street to Pacific Avenue. Race fans will line the streets to cheer on the riders as their endurance is worn away with each uphill climb.
The Grand Prix has attracted some of the world’s top cyclists, including several U.S. Olympic and World Champions as well as Tour de France competitors.
Grand Prix Founder and U.S. Bicycle Hall of Famer Ted Ernst started racing in 1947, at a time when he estimates there were only 1,000 racers in the country. After racing in Europe and South America and lacking a sufficient sponsorship to enter the Tour de France, he packed up, moved to California, and in 1962 opened up Ted’s Manhattan Cycles.
Ernst founded the event in 1962 and it has now become one of America’s oldest bike races. He was also a founding member of the South Bay Wheelmen which organizes and provides dozens of volunteers for the race. Ernst and the Wheelmen remain a driving force behind the event. (Ernst celebrates his 90th birthday this year.)
For more information on the 59th Annual Chevron Manhattan Beach Grand Prix, visit
www.MBGP.com.