Natural Grocers® Grant Subsidizes Women’s Registration Fees for the Annual Jesse Blancarte Time Trial in Gardner, Kansas: June 16, 2024
LAKEWOOD, Colorado, May 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Natural Grocers Cycling (with the support of its title sponsor, Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage ®) is proud to support women’s cycling races at the 2024 Jesse Blancarte Memorial 10k Time trial on June 16, 2024 in Gardner, Kansas.
This long-standing Kansas City area tradition is a USA Cycling sanctioned event and sponsored by The Blue River Bicycle Club. The event began in the mid-1990s, using old Missouri Highway 210 along the Missouri River east of I-435 toward Richmond. The race was renamed in memory of Blancarte after his death in 2002 and eventually moved to its current location at the New Century Air Center.
The time trial is a unique discipline in the world of cycling. Riders start one minute apart on a designated course and compete against the clock in a variety of USA Cycling-specific categories based on ability, age, aerodynamic or non-aerodynamic equipment, and gender. While the event regularly attracts the area’s top cycling talent, it also has a friendly environment for beginners and young people. Time trials are especially attractive to those who want to compete but aren’t as comfortable in a large group of riders as they are in events like road races and criteriums. First-year race director Shawn Beeton stated, “This event has become a staple in the local (Kansas) racing community. There aren’t many road races going on right now and racers are looking forward to coming out and showing what they can do.”
The Blue River Bicycle Club continues its partnership with sponsors such as Shawnee Mission Audi, Elite Cycling KC and Natural Grocers Cycling. Through a grant provided by Natural Grocers Cycling (through its title sponsor, Natural Grocers, the family-owned natural and organic grocery retailer), the race will offer low-cost racing opportunities for women. The grant was awarded directly to the promoter to subsidize the women’s registration fees (reducing the cost to just $5).
“Natural Grocers Cycling has a simple mission: to grow the communities in which we operate, support our sponsors as brand ambassadors and promote an active, healthy lifestyle on two wheels. We achieve this by providing financial support to events, connecting local Natural Grocers stores with the cycling community and reduce barriers for women by subsidizing entry fees,” said Dan Messina, managing partner of Natural Grocers Cycling. “We invite people to cheer on the runners on June 26 – the first runner leaves at 9 a.m. Or, better yet, join in the fun by signing up to compete or volunteer. We hope to see you there!”
Spectators and participants can look for the Natural Grocers-branded feather flag to find Natural Grocers Cycling under their signature purple tent. Club members will have fresh fruit to try (I), provided by Natural Grocers Overland Park, additional samples from team sponsors to share, and unlimited high fives.
- For complete event information and to register for the next event, visit: https://www.bikereg.com/blancarte.
- Visit: https://www.naturalgrocerscycling.com/ to learn more about Natural Grocers Cycling.
- For more information about Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, visit www.naturalgrocers.com.
- Media contact: kmacarelli@naturalgrocers.com.
ABOUT VITAMIN COTTAGE NATURAL EDIBLES
Founded in 1955, Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NYSE: NGVC) is an expanding specialty retailer of natural and organic groceries, body care products and dietary supplements. Products sold by Natural Grocers must meet strict quality guidelines and may not contain artificial colors, flavors, preservatives or sweeteners, or partially hydrogenated or hydrogenated oils. The Company sells only USDA certified organic products and exclusively pasture-raised unconfined dairy products and free-range eggs. Natural Grocers’ flexible smaller store format allows it to offer affordable prices in a clean, convenient and shopper-friendly retail environment. The Company also offers extensive free, science-based nutrition education programs to help customers and crew make informed health and nutrition decisions. Natural Grocers is committed to its five founding principles, including its “Commitment to Community” and “Commitment to Crew.” In fiscal 2023, the Company invested $15 million in incremental compensation and discretionary payments for Crew. Headquartered in the Union Square neighborhood of Lakewood, CO, Natural Grocers has 168 stores in 21 states. Visit www.naturalgrocers.com for more information and store locations.
ABOUT NATURAL GROCERS CYCLING
Natural Grocers Cycling has been a living, pedaling extension of the company’s founding principles since 1987. The team features a wide range of riders spanning all cycling disciplines. With over 100 members, you’ll see these riders on the trails, roads, volunteering at events, and of course in Natural Grocers stores across the country to support healthy living on and off the bike. Natural Grocers Cycling is interested in growing the cycling communities in which they operate. They have chapters in Denver, Grand Junction, Durango, Tucson and Kansas City and are also growing in Utah, Wyoming, New Mexico, Texas and West Virginia. Visit www.naturalgrocerscycling.com for more information.
SOURCE Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc.
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