Downtown State College transformed into a high-speed race track on Saturday, as about 250 cyclists from across Pennsylvania took part in the first State College Criterium, hosted by the Happy Valley Sports and Entertainment Alliance.
The event, which featured a full slate of races from beginner to professional categories, brought national-level competition into the heart of Happy Valley, offering a day of tactical riding, sharp cornering and exhilarating finishes on the closed-loop course. Although scattered thunder and rainstorms were seen throughout the day, the races were able to work around it and carry on as scheduled.
The criterium showcased its trademark high intensity and fast pace as athletes navigated the tight, technical course laid out on East Beaver and Foster avenues and South Pugh and Garner streets.
Hundreds of spectators and dozens of volunteers lined the barriers throughout the course of the day, watching a packed schedule of races unfold across various age and skill categories. For many, the event was a celebration of State College’s deep-rooted cycling culture and a reminder of its place as a premier destination for competitive sports entertainment.
“Our work really centers around sports and entertainment,” Eric Engelbarts, HVSEA executive director said. “As you host these events, people travel into town, they stay in our hotels, they eat in our restaurants, shop in our businesses and essentially boost the local economy through sports tourism…That’s really our mission, and so we’re getting up and running, been going about two years now, and as we look at our community, we look at our schedule of an area here, and we’re looking at different events to try to bring in. We were actually approached by a contact out of a cycling shop called the Bike Roost, which is located in Boalsburg and that eventually turned into the State College Criterium.”
Riders battled not only for podium spots and cash prizes, but also for Pennsylvania state titles in selected categories, as USA Cycling-sanctioned divisions crowned champions in the masters and elite classes. These early races were marked by teamwork and showings by local clubs, including several riders from the Penn State Cycling Team, paying tribute to the local community.
As the afternoon progressed, intermediate and elite categories took the spotlight. Each race lasted between 30 to 60 minutes, with cyclists averaging speeds well over 25 mph.
“I love to say that the State College Criterium is where sports is going to meet entertainment,” Engelbarts said. “It’s right at that intersection, basically, a good visual for people. It’s kind of like a NASCAR race, but for bicycles. We set up a closed, short course loop downtown that is going to be a little less than a mile, about 0.7 miles. And these cyclists come in, they compete mainly in skill level and by gender, and they will race in a loop for an established amount of time…They’re drifting, they’re cornering, they’re being strategic of when they make their moves.”
State College is known as a top riding destination because of its committed cycling community and hosting of events including the Rothrock Grit Gravel Grinder, the Tussey Mountain Circuit Race and the IRONMAN 70.3 Pennsylvania Happy Valley.
From 1987 to 2011, the Tour de Toona was a prominent multi-day stage event that took place in nearby Altoona. Attracting elite professional and amateur cyclists from all over the world, the event played a significant role in the racing scene in the United States. Even though it is no longer hosted, its legacy influences local cycling culture and motivates upcoming generations of riders and events around the area.
“For a short period, there were some races that were held here in State College, and we just know from hosting IRONMAN and knowing the local community that this really is centric that we have here. We’re excited to bring this in for those that do that,” Engelbarts said. “As you close this course, as you get all your permit approvals, you really want to work with a sanctioning body. That’s what we did this first year, we worked with the Pennsylvania Cycling Association, and we were deemed the state championship for the elite and master level categories…This event would not be possible without the Borough of State College.”
In the Elite Women’s Category 1, 2 and 3 race, Kimberly Stoveld of AUTOMATIC Racing took first place with a time of 56:18, winning her second title. Stoveld, of Philadelphia, was the only competitor to lap every cyclist in her division’s race.
Hannah Yeakey of GPBR – Rothman Orthopaedics Cycling finished second in a tight sprint, followed by Parrish Bergquist of VeloJawn Racing in third.
“This is great. This is my first time being in State College as an adult, and it’s way different here and I love it,” Stoveld said.
Andrew Wolfe of Bike Works p/b Fred Beans out of Bucks County won the Elite Men’s Category 1, 2 and 3 race in 1:00:32. Samuel Smith of Team Cadence Cyclery p/b Encore Wire finished second, with Alec Ratzell of Total Civil Construction taking third.
“I think we had a spectacular race day today,” State College Mayor Ezra Nanes said. “For the first one, the race went incredibly smoothly, even though there were some thunderstorms, the race still went on. Even when they had to stop, they started again, and everybody had a great day.
“The Happy Valley Sports and Entertainment Alliance, the borough, public works, police, the race organizers, all the sponsors, everybody, the bike crews, did a phenomenal job putting this together. So many volunteers, like any great event. So I think we had a great day, and the atmosphere was really exciting.”
Beyond the competition, the event reflected the strength of Pennsylvania’s cycling community. Volunteers from local organizations, including CentreBike and Happy Valley Women’s Cycling, helped coordinate logistics and ensure a safe environment for riders and spectators alike.
The Bike Roost also served as the official neutral support sponsor.
Businesses throughout downtown embraced the event, with some offering specials and outdoor seating.
“People love to have events like this because it gives opportunities to compete, to spectate, to volunteer, and just to experience something that’s really quite thrilling and exciting,” Nanes said. “I think if we can get it to come back again for another year, there’s more awareness, more enthusiasm and then it gives people of every age the chance to participate in something that’s really cool. I hope we get it again.”
