Cycling races return to velodrome at King County's Marymoor Park

Friday night bicycle racing returns to the Group Health Velodrome at King County's Marymoor Park, June 1 starting at 7:30 p.m.

With up to 15 races a night on the banked oval track, each race features cyclists of similar skills – from beginners to accomplished racers, including local Olympians and world champions. Races are scheduled for every Friday evening through Sept. 14.

"Marymoor Park is home to the only velodrome in the state, and it's a fantastic place for spectators to bring a picnic and relax while watching the races from bleachers or from the grassy banks above the track," said King County Parks Director Kevin Brown.

Group Health Cooperative began this partnership and naming rights with King County Parks in 2004. Over the course of their five year-commitment, the partnership will mean $610,000 to support the maintenance and operations of parks facilities.

The Group Health Velodrome naming rights agreement also supports both competitive and non-competitive cycling events, classes and programs.

Under the partnership, Group Health has exclusive naming rights for the velodrome through 2008, title sponsorship of the popular Friday Night Race Series, plus printing and distribution of the King County Bicycle Map.

The partnership is part of the King County's Partnership for Parks initiative to create more revenue for regional parks.

"King County's goal in developing its parks and trails systems is to encourage healthy lifestyles and provide great recreation opportunities," said King County Executive Ron Sims.

"By partnering with Group Health for the naming rights at the velodrome, we can invest our financial resources into bringing King County residents more amenities that add to their quality of life," said Sims, who is also an avid cyclist.

Group Health President and CEO Scott Armstrong said his organization has found its partnership with King County to be a perfect fit.

"As a health care organization we support cycling because it raises public awareness about the health benefits of an active lifestyle and it is a natural part of Group Health's long-standing commitment to the health and well-being of the community," said Armstrong. "Cycling has become part of Group Health's social mission."

Harley Sheffield, Executive Director of the non-profit Marymoor Velodrome Association (MVA), said the region's cyclists are reaping a tremendous benefit from King County's association with Group Health.

"Thanks to this partnership, our members have access to world-class track racing right in our own backyard," Sheffield said. "The agreement between King County and Group Health helps us increase exposure to track cycling and energizes our volunteers to continue their efforts with educational and competition programs at the velodrome."

The MVA sponsors Monday, Wednesday and Friday races, adult track classes, and cycling classes for children and teens at the Group Health Velodrome. From April through December, the MVA manages the promotion of more than 70 Track Racing and Cyclocross events, as well as 60 days of cycling classes. More information about the MVA is available at http://velodrome.org/cms/, or by calling 206-957-4555.

Founded in 1947, Group Health is a consumer-governed, nonprofit health care system that coordinates care and coverage. Based in Seattle, Group Health and its subsidiary health carriers, Group Health Options, Inc., and KPS Health Plans, serve approximately 568,344 members in Washington and Idaho. Group Health encompasses medical and specialty centers, hospitals (including a full service community hospital), a nationally recognized research center, and a charitable foundation. For more information on Group Health, visit www.ghc.org.

King County Parks - Your Big Backyard - offers more than 25,000 acres of parks and natural lands, including such regional treasures as Marymoor Park and Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, 175 miles of regional trails, plus pools and a world-class aquatic center. By cultivating strong relationships with non-profit, corporate and community partners, King County Parks enhances park amenities while reducing costs. Learn more at http://www.metrokc.gov/parks/.

More information about the Group Health Velodrome is available at http://www.metrokc.gov/parks/marymoor/velodrome.html.