The 26^th Annual Tour de Cashiers Mountain Cycling Experience, with the support of Premier Sponsor Highlands Cashiers Hospital,  will be held on Saturday September 15, 2018 across the sky-high, scenic mountain byways of western North Carolina.

This year, runners can participate in the fun with an added 5K race in Cashiers Village.  The 3.1-mile route begins at the Cashiers Glenville Recreation Center, where cyclists also will depart earlier, and follows Frank Allen, Valley and Cashiers School Roads and Mitten Lane to a turnaround at Summit Charter School and return to the recreation center.

This popular athletic event shifted its traditional spring schedule to the fall to accommodate an expanded activities schedule and take advantage of autumn weather conditions.  Added activities include a pre-event registration and social at Whiteside Brewing Co., the 5K run and an after-party for all participants and their families at the Baldaroo Music Festival.

Under the direction of Tony Hammett, USAT Certified Race Director of Peak Racing Events, Atlanta, Georgia, the event is expected to attract participants from across the southeast, many returning every year to one of the state’s prime tourist destinations.

“This is a beautiful area and we are thrilled to help grow the events for both the participants and Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce. We look forward to this exciting partnership,” said Hammett.

Tour de Cashiers cyclists will follow one of three traditional routes – 25, 62 and 100 miles — across Jackson, Macon and Transylvania Counties.  They will ride steep climbs and fast descents at 3,500 feet plus above sea level with more than 10,500 feet of elevation changes and cross through the mountain communities of Cashiers, Lake Toxaway, Sapphire, Glenville, Cullowhee, Highlands and more.

Proceeds from the Tour support local community and economic development efforts by the Cashiers Area Chamber.  Executive Director Stephanie Edwards extended the Chamber’s appreciation to the event’s many community sponsors: Highlands Cashiers Hospital returning as the Premier supporter; Gold Sponsors Hampton Inn & Suites, Iezzi Custom Homes, Landmark Realty Group, Mountainworks Custom Home Design, WHLC FM 104.5 and Whiteside Brewing Co.; Silver Sponsors Baldaroo, Cashiers Color Center, Cashiers Valley Pharmacy, Highlands-Cashiers Board of Realtors, Jackson County Recreation Department, Laurelwood Inn, Sapphire Mountain Brewing Co., Slab Town Pizza, The Divide at Bald Rock, and Zoller Hardware; and Bronze Sponsors Camp Merrie-Wood, Cornucopia Restaurant, Glenville Wellness Place, Highland Hiker The Corner Toy Store and The Orchard Restaurant & Event Barn.”  Operational sponsors are Motion Makers Bicycle Shop, All3Sports, Tailwind Nutrition, and Peak Racing Events.

Registration is open for both the rides and 5k run online at www.TourdeCashiers.com.  For more information, visit www.PeakRacingEvents.com