Registration for the 2013 Air Force Association Cycling Classic Closes Sunday, June 2

ARLINGTON, Va., May 30, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The deadline to register to ride in the 2013 Air Force Association Cycling Classic is midnight, Sunday, June 2, 2013. Riders have a variety of opportunities to participate throughout the weekend of June 8-9 that cater to cycling enthusiasts of all abilities, from casual amateur to professional racers.

The AFA Wounded Airman Program will be the sole official beneficiary and will receive a portion of the funds raised from the event. Participants who wish to fundraise for the Wounded Airman Program will ride as a part of Team Sabre, paying a $55 non-refundable processing fee with a required minimum pledge of $150. The top fundraiser will be recognized on Saturday evening during a reception held at the Air Force Memorial, and will receive a special jersey to wear during Sunday's ride. Fundraisers who raise over $1,000 will also be recognized on Saturday evening. For more information on how to register as a fundraising rider please visit: http://cyclingclassic.org/team-sabre.html.

Businesses are encouraged to invite their employees to participate in the Navy Federal Credit Union Corporate Challenge as fundraisers and riders. The Challenge includes a minimum fundraising pledge of $1,000 for each corporate team, with all proceeds benefiting the Wounded Airman Program. Interested companies can visit http://cyclingclassic.org/corporate-challenge.html for more information.

Individuals may choose to participate as Standard Registrants by visiting http://cyclingclassic.org/general-registration.html. General riders, Corporate Challenge Teams, and members of Team Sabre will all participate in the non-competitive Crystal Ride, starting and ending in Crystal City from 7:30a.m. – 11:00a.m. on Sunday, June 9^th.  

Professional and amateur riders will participate in the Clarendon Cup throughout the day on Saturday, June 8, with the Men's and Women's top events again serving as part of USA Cycling's National Criterium Calendar. A second day of Pro/Am racing will occur on Sunday after the Crystal City Ride with the featured Men's pro race, followed by the women's and men's amateur races to conclude the weekend. To register for the Professional/Amateur races please visit: http://cyclingclassic.org/pro-am-races.html.

Children ages 9 and under will have two opportunities to participate for free throughout the weekend. On Saturday the first kids race will begin at 11:30a.m. and will take riders through the Clarendon Cup course. On Sunday the second kids race will begin at 1:05p.m., following the awards ceremony for the Men's Pro race, and will take riders through Crystal City. To register for the kids races please visit: http://cyclingclassic.org/kids-races.html.

Volunteers are also needed throughout the weekend for registration support, maintaining the hydration stations, course marshalling, medal distribution, ride ambassadors, and stage crew. Those interested in being a part of the tradition of the Air Force Association Cycling Classic as a volunteer are encouraged to visit http://cyclingclassic.org/volunteer.html to sign up.

The 2013 Air Force Association Cycling Classic is held in partnership with Arlington Sports, Inc, a business dedicated to the promotion and development of professional and amateur cycling. More than 1,700 riders participated in last year's two-day event, with over 200 individual and corporate fundraisers contributing $20,000 to the Wounded Airman Program.

The Air Force Association is a non-profit, independent, professional military and aerospace education association. Our mission is to promote a dominant United States Air Force and a strong national defense, and to honor Airmen and our Air Force Heritage. To accomplish this, we:

• EDUCATE the public on the critical need for unmatched aerospace power and a technically superior workforce to ensure U.S. national security.
• ADVOCATE for aerospace power and STEM education.
• SUPPORT the Total Air Force family and promote aerospace education.

AFA has 200 chapters nationally and internationally representing more than 105,000 members. Visit AFA at www.afa.org.  

SOURCE Air Force Association