The Iowa City Cycling Club today announced the 31st Annual Edition of the Old Capitol Criterium and Iowa City Road Race weekend, set for April 26-27,2008 in Iowa City, Iowa. This year's weekend event features a combined prize list of over $10,000, making it one of the Midwest's largest race weekends on the bicycle racing calendar.

“We’re very excited to continue the tradition of the Old Capitol Criterium and to honor the memory of Chris Lillig,” says Mark Guthart, Race Director of the Old Capitol Criterium. “Being able to see the entire weekend of racing continue to grow really says something about the
longevity of the event.”

Saturday, April 26 - Iowa City Road Race

he weekend's festivities kick-off on Saturday, April 26th with the Iowa City Road Race. Located southwest of Iowa City at the Iowa Mennonite Church, the road race begins at 8:00 am and offers a total prize list of $2750 — an increase over last year’s record setting prize list. Races
will continue throughout the day, varying from 26 to 65 miles in length.

Sunday, April 27 - Old Capitol Criterium and Chris Lillig Memorial Cup The Old Capitol Criterium takes the main stage on Sunday, April 27th.

Offering a total prize list of $7500, the criterium features a challenging 1-kilometer loop around the Pentacrest in downtown Iowa City, including repeated climbs up the Jefferson Street hill. Racing begins at 9:30 am with Junior riders aged 10-18 years of age and continues to the day's 40-lap feature race – the Chris Lillig Memorial Cup – at 3:30 pm.

Sponsored by River Products Company, Inc. of Iowa City, the Chris Lillig Memorial Cup honors the 12th anniversary of the death of Chris Lillig – a local bicycle racer and former River Products employee who was struck and killed by drunk driver while on a training ride.

This year's Old Capitol Criterium also features free Kids races. Starting at 1:00 pm, youth under 10 years of age will have the opportunity to race the entire upper loop of the criterium course – including a finish across the same finish line as the senior racers.

In addition to support from members of the Iowa City Cycling Club, the weekend's event receives tremendous support from local businesses and organizations, including River Products Company, Inc., G4 Sports Marketing, Alberhasky Eye Clinic, Geoff's Bike & Ski, Carlos O'Kelly's, Adair Chiropractic, Metro Plumbing, Iowa State Bank & Trust, Carousel Auto Group, Active Endeavors, the Bicyclists of Iowa City, and many more.

About the Iowa City Cycling Club
The Iowa City Cycling Club is a registered USA Cycling club with over 50 members throughout Iowa and the Midwest, including 12 members of the elite Mercy-Specialized team. The Iowa City Cycling Club sponsors numerous events throughout the year to promote bicycle safety, awareness, and rider development. For more information, please visit www.ic-cycling.org.

For more race details, including complete schedule and online registration, please visit www.oldcapcrit.com.