Get Ready for the 61st Annual Manhattan Beach Grand Prix
Jul 13, 2024 03:04PM ● By Jeanne Fratello
Photo via Manhattan Beach Grand Prix. Photo credit: Steve Cohen.
The Manhattan Beach Grand Prix, a destination race that draws amateur and professional cyclists from around the country, is set for its 61st running on Sunday.
Instead of cars driving along Ardmore and Valley Drive, expect to see packs of professional cyclists whooshing down the Greenbelt at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour.
(Photo via Manhattan Beach Grand Prix. Photo credit: Dan Munson)
The 1.3-mile course circles counterclockwise from the Joslyn Center to
15th Street, up Ardmore to Pacific Ave., and back down Valley. All told,
the course features two long straightaways, two sweeping 180° turns,
and 50 feet of climbing per lap. Race
fans traditionally line the streets to cheer on the riders as their
endurance is
worn away with each uphill climb.
Race director Greg Aden described the course to MB News as being "like a big paper clip." But,
he added, it's a fast and challenging course that attracts racers from
all over - and it is a certified event that allows riders to qualify for
state championship titles.
The race has attracted some of the world’s top cyclists, including several U.S. Olympic and World Champions as well as Tour de France competitors.
This year's race offers more than $22,000 in prices, with the top mens' and womens' purses offering $8,000 apiece.
Race Details
The MBGP is the oldest single-day race in the US to be held
on the same course.
(MBGP Founder Ted Ernst. Photo via Manhattan Beach Grand Prix.)The 2024 event kicks off with the "Manhattan Mile" run at 7:00 a.m., followed by the Mens Cat 4 races at 7:30 a.m. Races continue throughout the day, punctuated by the popular kids' races at noon.
To accommodate the event, Ardmore Avenue will be closed between
Manhattan Beach Blvd. and Pacific Ave. on Sunday from 5:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Valley Drive will be closed between 15th St. and Pacific Ave. on Sunday from 5:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Parking will be closed along the east side of Valley Drive from 15th St. to 18th St. from Saturday at 8:00 a.m.
through Sunday at 6:00 p.m.
Lot 8, the Joslyn Community Center Lot, and the Upper Civic Center Lot will all be closed on Sunday starting at 4:00 a.m. (Note: We're still bothered by the fact that these lots have completely non-helpful names. Lot 8 is the lot in the middle of the Greenbelt that runs between 12th and 15th Sts. We'll call it the Greenbelt Lot for now.)
Kids' games and treats will run throughout the day at the Chevron Kids' Zone, located on Valley Drive across from the Joslyn Center and just south of the start/finish line.
